Numismatic

1909 VDB Lincoln Cent BU (Red)

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The year 1909 marked a monumental shift in American coinage with the introduction of the Lincoln Cent. This inaugural issue departed from the long-running Indian Head design to honor the centenary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Struck in a warm alloy of 95 percent copper, with the remaining five percent composed of tin and zinc, this coin represents the very beginning of one of the longest-running series in United States numismatic history. The obverse presents a detailed profile bust of Abraham Lincoln, facing right. This portrait is accompanied by the familiar inscriptions of national identity and liberty. On the reverse, the design features two stylized stalks of wheat framing the denomination and the country of origin. What makes this specific variety famous is the presence 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 version a fascinating subject of study for coin enthusiasts.