Owner Comments:
General Comments:
After a few years of heavy coin production, the Lima mint scaled back it's minting in 1909 for the 1/2 Dinero, Dinero and 1/5 Sol. Of these three coins, the 1/5 Sol is easiest to locate in circulated grades, usually available for a price. In strict Mint State, the coin is quite difficult, however.
Most UNC 1909's are found with heavy die polish lines on the obverse, making them less attractive to buyers. MS 62 seems to be the default grade in Mint State, with anything above that rare.
Minor varities:
1. 1909/9 (FC) *See Comments
2. Period below superscript o to left
I have seen a few overdated coins. Sometimes many numerals are repunched. One overdate had the overstruck 9 further to the right than other overdates I've seen.
Flatt lists #2. I have seen one coin that qualitifes, but this is not a significant variety, as the superscript o placement varies on most 1/5 Sols. Placement of that period can also be high or low compared to the "D" in "DE".
Occassional repunched letters are seen on 1909's. "U" in PERUANA is often repunched, sometimes "DE SOL" has repunching.
Availability:
G-VF: Common
XF-AU: Somewhat Scarce - Usually available for a price
60-62: Very Scarce
63+: Rare - The Whittier coin may have been a 64/65, but it's hard to tell from the photo. Other than that, 63 is the best grade I've seen raw or certified.
Population Report (August 2016):
NGC: One in 63
PCGS: One in 62
Total at both services: 2; 2 in Uncirculated
Value Guide:
1972 Almanzar/Seppa: F: 2.50 VF: 4 XF: 7.50
Current KM: VF: 14 XF: 32.50 UNC: 85
2009 KM had this date at VF: 4 XF: 9 UNC: 27.50. XF/AU coins on the market that ask the current KM price point rarely sell. $85 is probably accurate for a low-end Mint State piece if certified. Raw UNC's tend to bring much less because of consumer confusion of die lines versus hairlines. MS 63-64 1909's should bring 100-200.
Mintage: 42,000 - Interetsingly, mintage for the 1909 1/2 Dinero and Dineros are not reported.
Auction Results:
Ebay 9/8/13 Dinged up AU $10 (WP)
Ebay 6/7/14 PCGS 62 $115.49 (This was my set coin until I upgraded).
Ebay 6/29/14 XF/AU $13.50 (WP)
Ebay 10/29/14 XF $15.50 (WP)
Ebay 6/16/15 XF+ $16.39
Ebay 9/14/15 Nice AU with minor rim issues $8.24
Ebay 11/25/15 UNC with usual die polish lines - Probably a 62 $37
Ebay 11/28/15 Sold as "Near Gem BU" Semi PL $18.50 (Not a Gem, but this is the current set coin I had graded. Proof that good raw cherry-picks are out there!)
Ebay 2/13/16 VF $29.99 (This had a shared $10 ship)
Ebay 3/15/16 F/VF Scratch $11.50
Ebay 4/24/16 VF/XF with hole that doesn't go through $17.50! A bit much for this coin!
Ebay 5/28/16 PCGS MS 62 - Selling my previous set coin $85
Ebay 6/15/16 VF/XF $23.50
Set Specimen:
A brilliant white obverse with lively luster. The fields are covered in rotating die polish lines, as ususal for this date. The reverse is fully Proof-like. Just about as nice as a 1909 can come. Lone finest graded specimen.
Photo copyright NGC