My Early Wheats
1909 V.D.B.

Owner Comments:

Orange peel surfaces with glowing luster are a treat for the eyes. As 1909 was the first year for the Lincoln cent design most of the mintage was saved so high grade examples are plentiful.
There is an interesting story behind the initials "VDB" that are placed on the rev of this coin. Mint Engraver Charles Barber changed the name to the artist's three initials VDB; on the original design Mr. Brenner had placed his full name at the bottom of the reverse. Once the coins were issued, some reporters felt that the placement of the initials were much to conspicuous and that the initials amounted to free, illegal advertising for the designer. Rather than placing the initials elsewhere in new dies, mint employees simply removed them entirely from the coin, and a new round of cents were produced without the VDB. Unlike the San Francisco mint which had only produced 484,000 the Philadelphia mint had already coined 27,995,000 so unlike the S mint coins these do not carry the rarity premium. Housed in a PCGS 4th generation; also known as a OGH holder. Also adorned with a CAC green bean.