Numismatic

1909 VDB Lincoln Cent BU (Red/Brown)

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The year 1909 marked a monumental shift in American coinage with the introduction of the Lincoln cent, replacing the long-running Indian Head design. This inaugural issue features the distinct profile of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse, a portrait that would become one of the most recognized faces in numismatic history. The coin is composed of an alloy containing 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent consisting of tin and zinc. On the reverse, the coin displays two stylized wheat ears flanking the denomination. What makes this specific first-year issue particularly famous is the inclusion of the designer's initials, V.D.B., prominently placed at the very bottom of the reverse design. These letters, representing Victor David Brenner, were removed shortly after production began, making this original variety a fascinating study in design history.