A Lincoln Cent on Mars: The Story of a 1909 V.D.B. Penny in Space
If you have ever wondered how coins behave beyond Earth, this story will capture your attention. Even more, it highlights a real coin that now sits on another planet.
A Numismatic Journey Beyond Earth
Coins have traveled into space before. However, very few remain there permanently. One of the most fascinating examples is a 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln Wheat cent. Today, that coin rests on Mars.
Meet “Mars Guy” and the Mission
Dr. Steve Ruff, also known as Mars Guy, brings this story to life. He serves as an Associate Research Professor at Arizona State University. Moreover, he specializes in Martian geology and has extensive experience studying Mars.
Through his YouTube channel, created in collaboration with NASA’s Infiniscope project, Dr. Ruff explains the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter missions. His approach stands out. He simplifies complex science into short, clear explanations. In addition, he often uses himself for scale, which makes the visuals easier to understand.
Why a 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln Cent?
On January 19, 2025, Mars Guy released a video that caught the attention of both scientists and collectors. The video focused on a Philadelphia Mint 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln cent used on Mars.
NASA selected this coin as a camera calibration target for the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) aboard the Curiosity rover. Scientists have long used coins for scale and calibration in geology. Therefore, the choice made practical sense.
However, the selection also carried historical meaning. Imager Principal Investigator Kenneth Edgett chose the coin because it was struck exactly 100 years before the rover’s planned 2009 launch. Although the mission faced delays and launched in 2011, the symbolism remained strong.
Landing on Mars and First Images
The Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater in August 2012. Soon after, on September 9, 2012, the rover captured the first image of the Lincoln cent.
At that time, the coin already showed signs of its new environment. Dust from the landing covered parts of the surface. Even so, the design remained visible.
A Decade of Martian Exposure
Over the next decade, the coin experienced conditions unlike anything on Earth. Mars exposed the cent to:
- Extreme cold temperatures
- Repeated dust accumulation and cleaning cycles
- A global dust storm strong enough to disable the Opportunity rover
As a result, the coin now tells a unique environmental story. Each layer of dust and each exposure event adds to its history.
A New Frontier for Coin Grading?
This unusual situation raises an interesting question. How would a professional grader evaluate a coin that has spent years on Mars?
The 1909 V.D.B. cent shows clear environmental changes. Therefore, grading companies may one day need to define standards for off-world environmental damage. Future missions could even create a new category of collectible coins shaped by extraterrestrial conditions.
Numismatics Meets Areology
This story blends two worlds. On one hand, it appeals to coin collectors fascinated by a key-date Lincoln cent. On the other, it draws in those interested in planetary science.
In the end, you may start watching for the numismatics. However, you will likely stay for the areology, the study of Mars itself.
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This is a fascinating article combining my two great loves, numismatics and space exploration!
I love collecting wheats
Just think if that 1909 VDB ever made it back to earth. The value would probably exceed the most valuable cent to date
I always wanted to go to space with my wheaties.