1909-S Indian Cent. MS-66 RD (PCGS). CAC.This is an exceptionally well preserved and attractive example of an eagerly sought key date issue. Satiny to softly frosted in texture, both sides are bathed in original deep gold color. The strike is bold to sharp throughout, and the surfaces are expectably smooth for the assigned grade. The second mintmarked cent in U.S. coinage history, the 1909-S boasts the lowest mintage in the Indian series with a mere 309,000 pieces produced. These coins were struck in January and February of that year, after which production was halted as the San Francisco Mint prepared to receive the first of the new Lincoln cent dies from Philadelphia. With contemporary numismatic and other interest focused on the new cent design, and especially the controversy surrounding the designers initials V.D.B., the 1909-S Indian cent was largely overlooked by speculators. Even so, enough Mint State examples were set aside to meet current demand in lower grades. As a premium quality full Red Gem, however, the present example is decidedly rare from a condition standpoint and represents a significant find for the advanced collector.From the ESM Collection. Earlier ex Richard.
