The “VDB” on a coin, specifically referring to the 1909 Lincoln Cent, stands for Victor David Brenner , the coin’s designer.
Here’s the story behind the VDB initials:
- In 1909 , the US Mint released the first Lincoln Cent to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday.
- President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to enhance the artistry of American coins, chose Brenner, a renowned sculptor and medalist, to design the penny.
- Brenner included his initials, V.D.B., prominently on the reverse of the coin, placed between the wheat stalks.
- However, this prominent placement caused controversy, with critics arguing that it was too conspicuous for a national coin, [according to Bullion Exchanges].
- Due to public backlash , the US Mint quickly removed the initials from the coin’s design, making the initially minted coins with the VDB initials scarce and highly collectible.
- The San Francisco Mint produced a particularly limited number of these VDB cents, making the 1909-S VDB penny one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the Lincoln Cent series.
- In 1918 , Brenner’s initials were reintroduced on the Lincoln Cent, but this time in a more subtle location – on the obverse (front) of the coin, below Lincoln’s shoulder. These initials can still be found on modern Lincoln Cents today.
The 1909 VDB penny, especially the 1909-S VDB variety (from the San Francisco Mint), is valuable for several reasons:
- Low Mintage: Only 484,000 1909-S VDB pennies were minted, making it one of the lowest mintage numbers in the entire Lincoln Cent series. In comparison, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 27 million VDB pennies in the same year.
- Historical Significance: It was the first year of the Lincoln Cent series and the first circulating US coin to feature a real person, marking a significant change in American coinage history.
- The VDB Controversy: The short period the VDB initials were present and their subsequent removal created intrigue and boosted the coin’s collectibility.
- High Collector Demand: The 1909-S VDB is considered a “key date” in the Lincoln Cent series, meaning it’s highly sought after by collectors seeking to complete sets.
In summary, “VDB” on a coin refers to the designer’s initials, Victor David Brenner, and is particularly associated with the rare and highly collectible 1909 and 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Pennies.
What does VDB mean on a coin?
I can help with that. Sometimes a big ego can pay off. At least for you if you have a 1909 VDB penny designed by Victor D. Brenner who added his oversized initials to the first Lincoln penny.
Why was VDB removed?
On August 6, 1909, The Washington Post proclaimed, “V.D.B. Cent Doomed”. The initials and their placement on the coin met with displeasure from the Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh who had either not seen the coin’s design or did not look at it closely before minting began.
Is VDB on every penny?
The initials are “VDB” and they stand for the name of Victor David Brenner, the artist who designed the Lincoln cent. What makes these initials famous is the fact that they appear on the rarest of all the Lincolns (excluding such mint errors as the 1922 “Plain” and the 1955 and 1972 doubled dies).