1909-S V.D.B. is the most famous and desirable cent in the first year of the Lincoln cent. The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner (V.D.B.). His initials originally appeared on the reverse near the bottom of the design. They were removed and didn’t appear again until the 1918 cent, this time on the obverse under Lincoln’s shoulder. There were also matte proof coins struck from 1909-1916. Uncirculated 1909-S V.D.B. cents have a total mintage of 484,000. The 1909 from Philadelphia by comparison has a mintage of 72,702,618 according to the Red Book Guide. The Lincoln penny is the first regularly issued coin representing a real person. Previous coins have Lady Liberty, eagles, and other designs. In 1909 there were six different cents:
- Indian Head 1909-P & 1909-S;
- Lincoln 1909-P & 1909-P V.D.B.; and
- Lincoln 1909-S & 1909-S V.D.B.
It is also the first year “In God We Trust” appeared on a penny. Lincoln was the choice design because it was the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.
Indeed, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent in any grade even cull is a coin with a ready market, but you, sir, have a piece that will always have a willing buyer, should you decide to sell it down the road.