According to publications like RED BOOK and the monthly published COIN TRENDS, the 1909 S/Horiz S Lincoln Cent is only another glorified variety, but that is ALL WRONG!  This is a very scarce coin and it always has been. One day it will be recognized for it's true rarity. There are two varieties of the 1909 S/S, and usually they are mistakenly both offered as the same variety. This is far from true! The true 1909 S/Horiz S shows the first "S" punched about 45-60 degrees tilted right. The second "S" punched vertically over the first. This variety is easily visible to the eye, or in my case, with a 10x loupe. The other variety is simply a slightly repunched mint mark and no more valuable or collectable than any other 1909 S.

The Lincoln Cent series has been literally "overrun" with insignificant errors that you practically need an "electron microscope" to see. . ; but really, if it's that hard to see, WHO CARES? This 1909 S/Horiz S variety is one of a hand full of  STAND-OUT - "COLLECTIBLE" varieties! . . . . BUT, is it . . . "RARE"?   The answer is an overwhelming  "YES"!  A total of only six obverse dies struck all 1.825M  1909-S Lincolns. Simple math equates that only about 300,000 pieces were struck per die. Normal die wear and erosion would have erased most of this error somewhere around middle-die state. This means that in all likelihood, fewer than 150,000 pieces that could be called  "True 1909 S/Horiz S"  coins, were even produced.  The 1909 SVDB  had a production run of  484,000  coins, and in just "GOOD",  they are selling for $600. The 1909 S/Horiz S probably had a mintage of less than a third of that;  .  .  . and, after almost 100 years, how many could still be around? .  .  .Just stop for a moment and think about it .  .  . How much should they  "Really"  be worth?  .  .  .When the true rarity of this coin is realized, How much will it be worth?

If you consider yourself a "Serious" Lincoln Cent collector and don't currently own one of these very underrated coins, you just might be "MISSING THE BOAT" on a serious collectible opportunity. With all production figures in the Billions today, errors are the only coins that will be worth collecting at all. Old, established, errors like this one will only increase in importance as time passes. With talk of ending production of Lincoln Cents, and the 100th anniversary of this coin approaching, a second look just might be in order. . .while there are still some coins to look at!

If you feel that this guide was informative or helpful in any way, I would greatly appreciate your taking a few moments to check the YES box at the bottom of this page. All information sources are available upon request. (mintex03)