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1909-S IHC or 1909-S VDB Lincoln...

OneCentOneCent Posts: 3,561 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Lets say that you had the money to purchase a MS-65 RD 1909-S VDB OR a 1909-S MS65 RD Indian Head Cent.

Which one do you buy and why?

I would buy the 1909-S VDB as I'm working on the Lincoln basic set. However, I think that the long-term value is in the 1909-S IHC.

image
imageimage
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111

Comments

  • commoncents05commoncents05 Posts: 10,093 ✭✭✭
    Indian, hands down.

    -Paul
    Many Quality coins for sale at http://www.CommonCentsRareCoins.com
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275 ✭
    No question, IHC.

    The pop's for a RED IHC in 65 (+), I would guess, are lower than the surviving pops of RED Lincolns in 65(+)
  • UnknownUnknown
    This content has been removed.
  • perfectstrikeperfectstrike Posts: 677 ✭✭
    I'm for the IHC too.

    David
  • BWRCBWRC Posts: 1,448 ✭✭✭
    IHC

    1. Lower mintage 309K vs 484K. Both coins are lowest regular issue mintages.

    2. PCGS MS65RD population 1909S IHC 127/12
    1909S VDB 737/172

    No contest!

    The 1909S VDB has almost 6X the population as the 09S IHC is PCGS MS65RD!
    Brian Wagner Rare Coins, Specializing in PCGS graded, Shield, Liberty and Buffalo Nickels varieties.
  • joecopperjoecopper Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭
    IHC for me, no question about it
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355 ✭
    Indian without a doubt. But the market for s-vdb's will never wane, only grow, especially so for a 65 red.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • speetyspeety Posts: 5,424 ✭
    Ummm both? I'd be buying for my type set. Picked up the later of the two a couple months ago. How can you not love a coin like this?

    image
    Want to buy an auction catalog for the William Hesslein Sale (December 2, 1926). Thanks to all those who have helped us obtain the others!!!

  • BWRCBWRC Posts: 1,448 ✭✭✭

    And the winner is! Sold a few year ago

    image
    Brian Wagner Rare Coins, Specializing in PCGS graded, Shield, Liberty and Buffalo Nickels varieties.
  • OneCentOneCent Posts: 3,561 ✭


    << <i>Ummm both? I'd be buying for my type set. Picked up the later of the two a couple months ago. How can you not love a coin like this?

    >>



    Yes, that coin is absolutely lovely!!!!

    And BWRC...that IHC is also very lovely!!!



    Oh, the choices...now I just need to come up with the scratchimage!!!
    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111
  • BWRCBWRC Posts: 1,448 ✭✭✭

    Both are great classic coins!
    Brian Wagner Rare Coins, Specializing in PCGS graded, Shield, Liberty and Buffalo Nickels varieties.
  • savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,296 ✭✭✭✭
    09-s IHC would be my choice (i'm also bullish on the undervalued 08-s IHC as well)

    greg

    www.brunkauctions.com

  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    09 s IHC...
    Ebay items for sale Current BIN's / The Kingdom Collection
  • foodudefoodude Posts: 3,575 ✭✭✭
    IHC
    Greg Allen Coins, LLC Show Schedule: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/573044/our-show-schedule-updated-10-2-16 Authorized dealer for NGC, PCGS, CAC, and QA. Member of PNG, RTT (Founding Platinum Member), FUN, MSNS, and NCBA (formerly ICTA); Life Member of ANA and CSNS. NCBA Board member. "GA3" on CCE.
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,514 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd go with the 1909-S Indian cent. I think it's a lot rarer than the 1909-S VDB in mint state, and even rarer in MS-65 RD.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • veryfineveryfine Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭
    Rarity and population reports are only part of the equation. Don't underestimate the power of the 1909-s VDB Lincoln. It is an extremely popular date from an extremely popular series.
    But don't get me wrong. I am crazy about my circulated 09-s Indian and appreciate its low mintage status.
    Now, the 1877 Indian is a much much much more exciting date than both of the above. IMO, it will continue to go up up up in all grades. The 1877 Indian cent is something to acquire as soon as possible, despite the high price tag.
  • oildvroildvr Posts: 147
    Being a Lincoln collector, I'd go with the 09s-vdb. I have one PCGS AU-58BN, but would love to upgrade if I could afford it!
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    It's a no brainer. The 1909-S IH is so much rarer, do the homework image
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
    IHC!!!!
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭
    The IHC! That's even with my own bias because I like Lincolns.

    image
    Ed
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1909-S VDB is a very easy coin to promote. There are enough coins to accumulate and then all it takes is a higher buy price to push the price a little higher. Back in the late 1980's the guy I was working for bought about 100 or so with his catch phrase "I want them all". Well he didn't get them all, but he did raise the market about 50%. After he passed away in 1995, the prices sat until 2003 when a certain collector started hoarding the 65RD and higher pieces. Dealers he was working with (not me) pushed bids 100% or more over a 3-year period. The prices they have reached are insane!

    Now, here's a tell on the "madness of the crowds"... At the price levels they are at, everyone wants one! The 10 or 20 that show up in every auction sells for a small fortune!

    The 1909-S Indian cent is very difficult to promote, or even buy in MS-65RD. The grey sheet does not list 1909-S in MS-65RD so dealers cannot push the price. This in my mind makes them undervalued. The prices are based on actual sales, rather than a pumped up bid. I am a firm believer in sales driving prices, rather than bids.

    Which would you rather buy?
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,928 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I never really considered the '09-S VDB to be rare...you can pick one up any time on eBay in whatever grade you like, or at a show... I seem to recall Breen saying that they weren't really rare as well...
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    However, if you want a good example of another coin diven to absurd prices by bids, look at the 1909 Indian cent in G-VF grades.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • droopyddroopyd Posts: 5,381 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would buy the 1909-S VDB as I'm working on the Lincoln basic set. However, I think that the long-term value is in the 1909-S IHC. >>



    On both counts... image
    Me at the Springfield coin show:
    image
    60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
  • OverdateOverdate Posts: 7,067 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why would you want either one when burnished platinum is available? image


    My Adolph A. Weinman signature :)

  • tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    S-VDB might be more liquidable...so I'll take that.
  • zkcoinszkcoins Posts: 1,754
    I would pick up the Lincoln. I have zero interest in IHC's. In fact I have never owned a nice one, only the ones I found in change. Lincolns however, I am obsessed with. So my hope is to one day have a really nice s-VDB. The value may be in the IHC more than the Lincoln, but I usually stick to what I collect as I collect for me.
    Zach

    Check my ebay BIN or Make Offers!!
  • sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    I'd go for the IHC only because the thought of a mint mark on an IHC is so odd. Most years of lincoln cents have mm's but not so with the IHCs.

    OK, so I am not thinking about rarity or investment. I am just thinking in terms of which coin I happen to think is cooler.
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,968 ✭✭✭✭
    Just get both! image
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    The Indian even though I collect Lincolns.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would pick up the Lincoln. I have zero interest in IHC's. . >>

    image

    Actually, I still don't have the '09-S IHC; it's the last real "hole" in my Dansco. It seems that when I have the money, I don't find a nice, solid glossy-brown AU example, but when I do see one, we just spent a bunch of money on something and I can't justify the expense.
  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 8,079 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Although I love Indian Head Cents, and the 1909 S is the rarer coin, I would guess that the collector base for Lincolns is much larger. The other factor to consider is that we are fast approaching the 100 year anniversary of the Lincoln design which will probably add more collector pressure on this series and will more than likely drive prices higher.
    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The other factor to consider is that we are fast approaching the 100 year anniversary of the Lincoln design which will probably add more collector pressure on this series and will more than likely drive prices higher

    Very true, but what happens in 2010? Sequel to 2001?
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • dorkkarldorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭
    ihc, no contest

    K S
  • dorkkarldorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭
    if that's really what color that coin is, there's something wrong

    K S
  • RBinTexRBinTex Posts: 4,328 ✭
    IHC
  • DoubledieanotherdayDoubledieanotherday Posts: 69 ✭✭✭

    I would personally take the 1909 s indian. Much more attention seemed payed to the 1909 s vdb and they seem much easier to find IMO. However I love the 1909 date on Lincoln’s and indians, as well as the San Francisco mint mark. San Francisco being my favorite city to travel to helps also

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,435 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Another ancient thread resurrected. :D

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 6,890 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    Another ancient thread resurrected. :D

    Agree. :)

    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • lusterloverlusterlover Posts: 1,265 ✭✭✭✭

    Someone needs to do the analysis now on which one did better over the last 14 years…..

    pcgs.com/SetRegistry/half-cents/lincoln-cents-specialty-sets/lincoln-cents-basic-set-colorless-matte-proof-1909-1916/publishedset/102180
    https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/2819
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,172 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 20, 2021 4:10PM

    Since Sep 07 to now the 09S IHC has remained the same and the 09S VDB Lincoln has gained $500 as of today.
    Still I would have chosen the IHC if for my collection and obviously with this info the 09S VDB for profit.
    Jim

    edited to add: per PCGS CoinFacts


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

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  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,738 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 20, 2021 5:04PM

    I vote with my feet, my humble type example which is not a 65red but even color and no Verdigris which is important to me with copper


    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • DoubledieanotherdayDoubledieanotherday Posts: 69 ✭✭✭



    Who’s got a grade for this?

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,738 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Doubledieanotherday said:


    Who’s got a grade for this?

    XF details questionable color/cleaned

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

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