Numismatic

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent MS-64 PCGS (Red/Brown)

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In 1909, the United States introduced a new design for its one cent coin, featuring the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse. The reverse of this copper coin displays two ears of wheat flanking the denomination. This specific issue, struck at the San Francisco Mint, carries a unique legacy that has fascinated coin enthusiasts for generations. What makes this issue particularly famous is the inclusion of the designer's initials, V.D.B., which were placed at the bottom of the reverse design. Shortly after production began, a public controversy arose regarding the prominence of these initials. This debate led to the swift removal of the designer's mark from subsequent issues. Because the initials were removed so quickly, the production window for this original design was incredibly brief. The San Francisco Mint struck only 484,000 of these coins before the change was made, resulting in an exceptionally low mintage. This specific example is certified in Mint State 64 (MS-64) with a Red and Brown designation, preserving the original details of a brief and controversial moment in American coinage history.