Coin Highlights:
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Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
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Designer: Victor David Brenner
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Mintage: 72,702,618
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Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
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Weight: 3.11 grams
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Diameter: 19.05 mm
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Grade: Very Fine (VF20–VF35)
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Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right
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Reverse: Wheat ears surrounding “ONE CENT” with no “V.D.B.” initials
Historical Significance
Struck in 1909, this cent launched the Lincoln series and was the first U.S. coin to depict a real person. The original version included “V.D.B.” on the reverse, but public criticism led the Mint to remove the initials. This non-VDB issue became the standard for the rest of 1909 and remains an essential variety for collectors.
