Check ‘VDB’ Cent for Authenticity Before Having it Graded

• I saw an article on the 1909-S VDB cent when the “VDB” was tooled off while waiting for the new dies. They also showed a picture of one that had a small trace of the “VDB.” I have what seems to be one. If I send it to have graded, what do I list it as?

First, check for the mintmark being authentic. A square, box-like mintmark with a notch in the upper serif and raised lump in the upper loop are important diagnostics on this coin. The center bar of the “B” must be parallel on the “VDB.” If everything appears to be authentic, then in my opinion I would submit such as coin as a 1909-S VDB, Retooled Designer Initials or as a 1909-S VDB Ghost Initials cent.

• Should I be looking for the “VDB” initials on cents dated 1910 and beyond?

The designer’s initials were removed during 1909 and did not appear on the Lincoln cent again until 1918, at which time the initials appear under the shoulder on the obverse. Having said that, there are reports of 1910 cents on which it appears the initials may appear faintly due to using 1909 VDB reverse dies on which the initials had been shaved. An interesting discussion of this appears in an online “Making Cents” article by Sol Taylor dated May 10, 2008.

• I can’t find a 1910 VDB variety Lincoln cent in my coin books. Are there any references where such a variety is listed?

This variety appears in The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents by John A. Wexler and Kevin Flynn. According to an article posted on the Numismatic Guaranty Company website, “There are at least two non-VDB reverse hubs for 1909, and any 1910 that shows traces of VDB should be from the first – higher relief – hub made in 1909.”

• Is there a way I can be certain I have an authentic 1910 VDB cent?

According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company website, “To test this you would need: 1909-VDB, 1909 from the first hub with VDB removed, 1909 from the second hub, 1910 normal with no trace of VDB and 1910 the traces of VDB. The 1909-VDB and 1909 first hub and 1910 traces of VDB should all have the same relief and radius of curvature. The 1909 second hub and 1910 normal should share the same relief and radius but differ from the other three just mentioned.”

• How quickly did the Mint drop the “VDB” from the Lincoln cents in 1909?

The headlines “VDB Cent Doomed” appeared as the headlines in an Aug. 6, 1909, Washington Post newspaper article. Later the same day, the Charlotte, N.C., newspaper The Evening Chronicle reported, “[The] Treasury Department has already started collectors on the rounds to gather up the pennies and withdraw them from circulation.” The coins had been unveiled to the public on Aug. 2.

• What was Victor Brenner’s reaction to having his initials removed from the 1909 Lincoln cent?

Brenner was not a happy camper and didn’t take the news well. He is said to have told the Washington Post that he would write to Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh demanding an explanation. According to Brenner, the initially accepted design included his name. It would take further research to find that correspondence, but regardless of if a letter of complaint was lodged or not, “VDB” was quickly removed from the Lincoln cent.

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