1909: Lincoln Wheat Cent (Variety 1: With "V.D.B." Designer Initials)

1909: Lincoln Wheat Cent (Variety 1: With "V.D.B." Designer Initials) history

The first Lincoln cents appeared in 1909 for the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Victor D. Brenner placed his V.D.B. initials at the bottom of the wheat reverse, but public controversy led the Mint to remove them during the same year.

Both Philadelphia and San Francisco made V.D.B. cents, with the 1909-S V.D.B. becoming the key regular issue. The initials, mintmark style, and documented dies are essential because altered pieces are common.

1909 V.D.B. attribution notes

The first Lincoln cents displayed Victor D. Brenner's V.D.B. initials at the bottom of the wheat reverse. They were removed during 1909, creating a one-year design subtype struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Key attribution: The 1909-S V.D.B. is the low-mintage key. Authentication depends on the style and position of the S mint mark and on established die diagnostics; added mint marks and altered 1909 Philadelphia cents are persistent problems. The 1909 V.D.B. doubled die obverse is a separate recognized variety and should be attributed by its documented obverse doubling.

Strike and surfaces: Examine the coat, hair above the ear, wheat grains, and the small initials for strike completeness. On copper pieces advertised as red, color stability and unaltered luster are critical.