More than 100 years ago, a small coin created a big buzz across the United States. This wasn’t just any coin—it was the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, a rare and unique penny that became one of the most talked-about coins in American history. What made it so special? A tiny detail that most people didn’t even notice at first.
The Launch of the Lincoln Cent
On August 2, 1909, the United States introduced the Lincoln penny to honour President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birth anniversary. The launch created excitement, with long lines forming outside the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints, as well as other major locations like the Sub-Treasury buildings in New York, Chicago, Boston, St. Louis, and even the Treasury in Washington, D.C.
People couldn’t wait to get their hands on this new one-cent coin. But little did they know, there was a hidden design element on the coin that would soon cause quite a stir.
The VDB Mystery
The back of the new penny featured the initials “VDB,” standing for Victor D. Brenner, the designer of the coin. These letters were placed right at the bottom of the reverse side (the “tails” side). Strangely, most people didn’t notice them at first.
But once the initials were spotted, it caused a bit of a public uproar. Critics felt the initials were too big and too bold for a national coin. Just four days after the coin’s release, on August 6, 1909, the U.S. Mint stopped production of the VDB penny.
What Newspapers Said Then
The New York American newspaper even urged people to save their Lincoln pennies. It predicted that these coins would be worth more than their face value in the future. The article called the VDB coin a “freak issue” and expected collectors from around the world to seek it.
And they were right.
Why the Coin Became So Valuable
After production was stopped, a new version of the Lincoln cent was released, but this time with a much smaller and hidden initial “B” instead of the full “VDB.” Because the VDB version was only available for a short time, it became extremely rare.
Today, the 1909-S VDB penny is highly valued by coin collectors for its uniqueness. It features a lovely pale-orange colour with lemon-yellow highlights, and many coins have survived in very clean condition. In fact, the design was so well made that most coins have very few marks or scratches, only small freckles that are almost invisible.
Physical Features of the Coin
This rare coin weighs 3.11 grams and is made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. Despite being more than a century old, collectors are still on the hunt for it. Some high-quality pieces have sold for over $94,000, making it a dream item for coin lovers.
The 1909-S VDB penny may be small, but it made a big mark on American history. From a design choice that caused public uproar to becoming one of the most prized coins in the U.S., this little copper cent is now a rare treasure. Whether you’re a coin collector or simply a history lover, this coin stands as a reminder of how even tiny details can make something truly special. And yes, if you’ve got some spare cash, this piece of history can still be yours today.
