1909-S Indian Cent. MS-66 RD (PCGS). CAC. A thoroughly PQ example of this popular key date Indian cent issue. Aglow with vivid mint color in shades of reddish-orange and deep gold, the surfaces are further enhanced by a soft satin texture. Boldly to sharply struck with equally strong technical quality and eye appeal. 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.
