Few coins stir excitement among collectors like the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent—an iconic and highly coveted piece of American numismatics.
Minted in San Francisco during the inaugural year of the Lincoln cent series, this coin features the controversial initials “V.D.B.”—for designer Victor David Brenner—boldly placed on the reverse at the bottom of the wheat stalks. The initials were removed shortly after public criticism, making this version extremely scarce.
Only 484,000 of these cents were struck, a tiny number compared to other issues. Today, the 1909-S VDB is a “Holy Grail” for Lincoln cent enthusiasts, prized for both its rarity and its pivotal role in U.S. coin design history.
- Obverse: Abraham Lincoln, facing right
- Reverse: Wheat ears and “ONE CENT”
- Key Detail: “V.D.B.” visible on the reverse
- Value: $800–$2,500+ depending on grade
Did You Know? The Lincoln cent was the first U.S. coin to feature a real historical figure instead of allegorical representations like Liberty.
