1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny 1 Cent BU Brown

1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny 1 Cent BU Brown

Step back to the beginning of the Lincoln Cent series with the 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny 1 Cent BU Brown. Produced during the first year of issue, this Philadelphia Mint cent preserves Victor David Brenner’s original design, including his famous V.D.B. initials at the base of the reverse. This example is offered in Brilliant Uncirculated Brown condition, providing collectors with an uncirculated coin whose copper surfaces have naturally developed predominantly brown coloration over more than a century.

Struck from a traditional bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, the 1909 VDB Cent weighs 3.11 grams and measures 19 mm in diameter. A total of 27,995,000 Philadelphia VDB cents were struck before the designer’s initials were removed.

The year 1909 marked a major change for American circulating coinage. The Lincoln Cent replaced the long-running Indian Head Cent and was introduced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Created by sculptor Victor David Brenner, the new cent also made Lincoln the first U.S. president portrayed on a regular-issue circulating American coin. The coins were officially released on August 2, 1909.

The new design immediately attracted considerable public attention. Brenner’s portrait of Lincoln was paired with a reverse featuring two wheat stalks, establishing the design collectors now know as the Lincoln Wheat Cent. The Wheat reverse remained part of the series through 1958.

Coin Specifications:

• Weight of 3.11 grams
• Condition: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Color: Brown
• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
• Produced by the US Mint
• Obverse: Features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln along with the year of mintage.
• Reverse: Displays two wheat ears flanking the inscriptions "ONE CENT," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."

Why Own a 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• First-Year Lincoln Cent: Issued during the historic debut of the Lincoln Cent in 1909.
• Original VDB Design: Displays Brenner’s initials in their short-lived original location.
• Natural Brown Character: Mature copper coloration gives each piece an individual appearance.
• Classic Wheat Reverse: Represents the original design used at the beginning of the Lincoln Cent series.
• Popular Historic Variety: An important addition when building a collection of Lincoln Wheat Pennies.

Bullion Exchanges offers the 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny BU Brown for collectors looking to add an important early Lincoln Cent to their holdings. Its connection to the first year of the series and original VDB design makes it a historically meaningful choice for Lincoln Penny and classic U.S. coin collections. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our customer service representatives.

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