Whitman Expo
1909-S VDB One Cent MS RD
Details
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is perhaps the most famous of all issues in this long-running series. The lowest-mintage regular-issue piece with a mintage of only 484,000, it is still available with relative regularity and many examples are available under the same roof at any given large coin'show. Still, many Lincoln cent enthusiasts consider this coin the holy grail of numismatics and it is without a doubt one of the most sought-after coins around.
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent saw such a low mintage because public outcry over the prominently displayed initials of the coin's designer, Victor David Brenner (VDB), caused the removal of the offending VDB inscription from the bottom-center of the coin's reverse shortly after this issue debuted. However, many in the public were aware of the controversy and hoarded 1909-S VDB pennies in large numbers. According to numismatic experts, some 20,000 specimens exist, making it a rarity that can be acquired for a cost. In RD uncirculated grades, the situation becomes a little different. Examples become tough above MS65RD, with MS66RD proving a very challenging threshold. These coins are extremely rare in MS67RD or higher.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portrait and the date and mintmark (If any) positioned on the right side.
Reverse: Wheat ears flanking the words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the top perimeter. The deisgner's initials V.D.B. appear on the bottom periphery.
Basic Information
GSID:
1801
Coin Date:
1909-S VDB
Denomination:
1c / One Cent
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
484,000
Coinage Type:
Lincoln Cent
Coinage Years:
1909-1958
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
Mint Mark:
S
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
3.11 gr
Weight:
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
