Hello, I am still new to collecting of coins! and am trying the very best...found this old Penny...yet even after looking at with a maginifying Glass I don't see any CLEAR reflections of that...up top.. Friends,have said its..old its just rubbed out..but something does not add up..I have a few 1919 and other that show (wear) but wear is all around the coin front and back.Here,on this 1909 the back is nice,for its Age.Also,I read online that David Brenners ORIGINAL DESIGN did not have motto "In God We Trust" he,even showed it to President Roosevelt and he OK it! Then he left office and again samples were shown to TAFT and he oked the one with the MOTTO! Samples had left the MINT to be Shown to elite congressmen.....(did they ever make it back to the MINT?)? Someone has suggested do the Ballatic TEST...you know the one they do on Guns that have Serial numbers Earsed or Filed off!! They can still get to the Original Serial number due to Forensic Science etc etc..! Well. GOD BLESS!! :yes:
I agree with Hobo, just a normal worn out cent. You can still kinda see a shadow where the text used to be.
OP you mention you are new to collecting. Well something as unusual as a missing motto would need strong proof, and you could never get that with a well worn coin. Every coin wears in different patterns, and us "old hands" have seen thousands of identical coins as yours. Its just a matter of experience. Brenner may have ok'ed a design without the motto, but there has never been an authenticated one without it. Btw welcome to CT. Chris
Stop believing everything you read online. Buy or borrow some reputable reference books. Learn from authorities, not loud mouths. Lance.