1909 1C VDB MS68 Red PCGS....

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1909 VDB Lincoln Cent, MS68 Red
Debut of a Numismatic Icon
A Rare Condition Census Example

1909 1C VDB MS68 Red PCGS. Ex: Whispering Pines. Beginning with the use of a special star punch, then the use of an entire name, and then initials, designer's have left their marks on U.S. coins they created throughout the course of American history. Yet, in 1909, when the new Lincoln cent debuted, Victor D. Brenner's initials at the bottom of the reverse produced for the first time the question of whether or not such recognition was appropriate on federal coinage. In A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents, Q. David Bowers transcribes an excerpt from an August 5th, 1909, New York Times article that described the controversial initials and Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh's order to cease production of the cents until the initials could be removed from a new hub. Bowers adds:

"The Times story of 'widespread criticism' about the use of the V.D.B. initials may have been something related in a communication from the Treasury Department, or there may have been another source. Of the dozens of newspaper accounts I have read, none published before August 5 revealed any such dissatisfaction. Later, much folklore was invented. Some states that using the artist's initials constituted advertising for a private individual, while others contended that when the Treasury Department 'discovered' Brenner was Jewish, this caused the change. None of this is reflected in any contemporary Treasury records or printed accounts."

Printed descriptions of the design, including one in the August 1909 edition of The Numismatist, merely mentioned the designer's initials in the course of describing the new coins, without any adverse opinions given. In the September/October 1909 edition of the same periodical Farran Zerbe stated:

"In the removal of the marks to identify the designer of the Lincoln cent a great injustice has been done sculptor-artist Victor D. Brenner. No V.D.B., but Brenner was to appear on the new coin. When change was made from name to initials the artist was too modest to protest. Now that all identifying marks have been removed, it is not the particular instance, but it is for art -- that it may not be robbed of its reward -- that Mr. Brenner and all patrons of art should protest."

Despite strong opposition to the move from the numismatic and art communities, Brenner's initials were indeed removed from the cent hubs in August 1909. For the next nine years, cents were struck without due recognition given to the designer, but then in 1918, after the passing of Chief Engraver Charles Barber, and after the lapsing of MacVeagh's position as Treasury Secretary, Brenner's initials were restored to the Lincoln cent, being placed on the bottom edge of the Lincoln bust.

Collectors today, as they did in August 1909, recognize the uniqueness of the 1909 VDB cent and the historical significance it represents. Because the coin was struck in large quantities (nearly 28 million pieces) before it was discontinued, examples are readily available today. Yet, in MS68 Red, precious few coins have survived.

This piece is one of just eight MS68 Red examples known at PCGS and NGC combined, with none finer. Each side displays a sharp strike and vibrant, glistening mint luster cast in warm golden-orange hues. An entirely spot-free and unabraded Condition Census example of this remarkable "story coin." Population: 6 in 68 Red, 0 finer (11/24).
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2022), lot 3882.(Registry values: N491)
From The Whispering Pines Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 22AZ, PCGS# 2425, Greysheet# 1792)

Weight: 3.11 grams

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

View all of [The Whispering Pines Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS