1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

In 1909, the Lincoln Cent began production. Designed by Victor D. Brenner, the Lincoln Cent was the first United States circulating coin to bear the image of a real person. The public loved the coin, but was less enthused about the designer’s initials, V.D.B., appearing conspicuously at the bottom of the reverse.

The Mint quickly acted to remove the V.D.B, but not before a microscopic mintage of 484,000 was released. The initials were restored in 1918 on the front Lincoln’s shoulder, in much smaller letters, where they remain today.

Over the years, many collectors have gotten their start in the hobby with Lincoln Cents. One of the first things to learn is that the 1909-S VDB is the toughest date to find, and thus carries the biggest price tag.

Even a barely recognizable, authentic example sells for at least $500. Prices rise quickly after that. Small wonder, when you think about how many collectors are competing for such a small, finite supply.

The 1909-S VDB has been "King of the Mountain" among Lincoln Cents for as long as anyone alive today can remember, and quite valuable. This was not always the case. In Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, he documents that one dealer, John Zug, purchased 25,000 of them directly from the San Francisco Mint. A few years later, Zug was selling them for 1.75 cents each.

Hard to believe, but the best examples of the 1909-S VDB today can sell for as much as $50,000 to $100,000. It's highly probable some of these top sellers came from Zug's stash that were once sold for less than two cents!