1909-S 1C Lincoln Head Cent, VDB PCGS MS65RD

Here is a beautiful gem example of the Key Date of the entire Lincoln Cent series: the controversial 1909-S VDB. PCGS has graded 937 example of it as MS65 Red, with 337 finer in Red. Collectors Universe give it a price of $8,500.00 in MS65RD. Please see below for the story of how the offending “V.D.B.” was removed from the coin back in 1909.

The famous “V.D.B.” initials on the reverse of the classic rarity. Photo courtesy of the PCGS Coinfacts website.

Removing the "V.D.B." from the Lincoln Cent

Three days after the release of the 1909 Lincoln cents, Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh decided that the coin designer's initials on the bottom reverse of the coins, "V.D.B.," were too prominently displayed. It was then decided that the offending initials would be removed! David Margolick wrote in the New York Times, "It was not the first time a designer's monogram had appeared on an American coin, nor were the letters especially large. But instantly, Brenner was labeled a shameless self-promoter; The Times mocked that all future pennies should sport not just Brenner's full name, but his address and a picture of his office. Rumors flew that the offending letters would soon be removed, and when those rumors were confirmed, the collecting frenzy only grew."

Coin dealer B. Max Mehl wrote in 1916 regarding the removal of the "V.D.B." on the Lincoln cent, "As far back as B.C. 400 we find the name of the engraver on the coins he designed. Take away from him this privilege and you deprive him of his most valued reward. The dollars of 1836 had 'C. GOBRECHT' on them and the Lafayette-Washington dollars [of 1900] have 'Bartlett' in script at the base of the equestrian statue." Additionally, Brenner said, "As I told The Sun ..., President Roosevelt and [then Treasury] Secretary Cortelyou told me my full name should be on the coin." Both of those men were no longer in their offices.

But then it was decided to remove the initials. That was something that had never been done on a United States coin: removing the initials of the artist who designed it. By doing that, the 1909-S VDB became the famous, greatly desired collectible currently being offered by AUCM.