united-states-1909-item
Image: United States Mint (Public domain)
Denomination1 Cent (Penny)
Country / EmpireUnited States
Obverse DesignBust of Abraham Lincoln facing right, with 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' to the left, and the year '1909' to the right.
Reverse DesignTwo wheat ears flanking 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'. 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' is inscribed above. The designer's initials 'V.D.B.' are prominently displayed at the bottom rim between the wheat stalks.
Historical Context
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent is a highly sought-after key date coin. It was the first year of issue for the Lincoln Cent, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The coin's reverse design initially included the designer Victor David Brenner's initials 'V.D.B.' at the bottom. This placement was deemed too prominent by some, leading to their removal later in 1909, making the 'VDB' variety, especially from the San Francisco Mint ('S' mint mark), a rare and valuable collectible.
