Coin Highlights Issuer: United States of America Date: 1909 Mint: San Francisco (S) Denomination: One Cent (1¢) Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc Weight: 3.11 g Diameter: 19 mm Grade: PCGS VF25 (Very Fine) Obverse Design: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Victor David Brenner, with IN GOD WE TRUST above and LIBERTY and date alongside the bust. Reverse Design: Two wheat stalks framing ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above. Edge: Plain Orientation: Coin alignment (↑↓) Historical Significance The Lincoln Cent debuted in 1909, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Two versions were struck: the 1909 VDB with designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials boldly on the reverse, and the 1909-S without VDB, after the initials were quickly removed. Only 1,825,000 pieces of the 1909-S without VDB were minted, making it a key rarity. Collectibility The 1909-S Lincoln Cent (non-VDB) is one of the most famous key dates in the Wheat Cent series. In VF25, this example shows clear details on Lincoln’s portrait and the wheat ears, with moderate circulation wear consistent with the grade. Essential for any Lincoln Cent collection, whether building a date/mintmark set or pursuing a type collection of U.S. key dates.
