Numismatic

1909 VDB Lincoln Cent BU

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In 1909, a significant transition occurred in American coinage with the introduction of the Lincoln Cent. This copper coin features the profile of Abraham Lincoln on its obverse, a design created by Victor David Brenner. The portrait of the president faces right, presenting a dignified and lasting image that redefined the look of the nation's lowest-denomination currency. The reverse of the coin is framed by two stylized stalks of wheat curving along the borders, enclosing the denomination and the country of origin. This initial release of the series is particularly famous for bearing the designer's initials, V.D.B., placed at the very bottom of the reverse design. The Philadelphia Mint struck 27,995,000 of these cents before the initials were removed, making this specific variety a compelling study in design history.