For The First Time, We Are Offering Individual Dated Pennies

1909 VDB Wheat Pennies - Good or Better With VDB Fully Visable

The most collected wheat penny, with a storied history all it's own! (See story below check out icon) Now over 102 years old, this is a staple for any Wheat Penny Collection. In the past, we have been hesitant to sell individual wheat pennies, we we did not want to interfere with our unsearched coin collection philosophy. We didnt want anyone to think we searched the big lots and pulled out individual coins, though we are always offered to us. But this group of 1909-VDB's are not part of any unsearched collection and were purchased as a group from dealer at a great price, which we can pass on to you.

Each 1909 VDB, in a protective holder = 19.95
Shipping = 1.95 Per Coin
International Buyers, please email sales@pennies.com for shipping quote.

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(Pictures may be stock photos and not necessarily be the coins received)

It is an exciting day for coin collectors when a new coin is released into circulation. August 2, 1909, was just such a day. It was the day the first Lincoln cents were released into circulation. Some 27,995,000 coins were struck. The designer was Victor D. Brenner, the New York sculptor. President Roosevelt gave his consent to the design, and in honor of the designer, the initials VDB were placed at the bottom of the reverse. As the coins circulated differing opinions quickly formed. Soon a controversy arose over the initials. Popular opinion was that since Brenner had been paid for his design, and further recognition was not needed. Others said that the letters were too prominent and that few knew what the notation meant. People also found fault with the wheat stalks on the reverse side of the cent, contending that they did not represent this species of grain in true life.  The controversy began as complaints were registered and demands were made that the letters be dropped. As the controversial coin gained attention many articles were published. One included comments that southerners did not like Lincoln to begin with and that the use of his portrait on the cent was unfortunate. In contrast it was written that many black citizens collected the coins because of they revered Lincoln. Consequently, it was the most publicized coin since the 1883 Liberty Head nickel without Cents.

 The American Numismatic Association held its annual convention in Montreal from August 9 through 14, 1909, and it was decided that the new Lincoln cents bearing the initials of Victor D. Brenner would be changed to eliminate the engraver’s signature. The San Francisco Mint version of the 1909-S V.D.B. quickly became recognized as scarce, and later as rare. The 484,000-S V.D.B. coins that were struck have became the possession of generations of collectors who know the intrinsic value of the coins. In the end, elimination of the engraver’s initials, along with the controversy surrounding it has made the 1909 V.D.B. coins even more valuable, making it one of America’s most collected coins.