united-states-1909-item-6
Denomination1 Cent
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 stalks flanking the words '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.
Historical Context
The 1909 Lincoln Cent was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person. It was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The prominent 'V.D.B.' initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse caused public outcry, leading to their removal later in 1909. The 1909-S VDB is a key date coin due to its low mintage and the short-lived inclusion of the designer's initials, making it highly collectible.
