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CoinWeek editor Charles Morgan takes a deep dive into the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, the coin that changed American numismatics forever.
Buoyed by the issue’s low mintage and coupled with the controversy surrounding the removal of the designer’s rather prominent initials on the coin’s reverse, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent has been the stuff of numismatic lore for more than a century.
But there’s much more to this coin than its status as a series key. Not only was the 1909-S VDB the coin that popularized collecting coins by mintmark, but it also broadened the appeal of the numismatic hobby to the general public – with the help of an enterprising inventor, whose penny boards gave Depression-era Americans holes to fill.
After it quickly became apparent that the 1909-S VDB was hard to find, the rush was on. Learn about how one Maryland dealer turned a $250 investment into a $43,750 payday. Also, find out how Brenner’s beloved design almost met an early end when President Theodore Roosevelt tapped one of America’s most accomplished artists to reinvent all of America’s coinage from soup to nuts.
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The reviews are in! Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker’s 100 Greatest Modern World Coins has gotten five-star reviews on Amazon and Lou Golino and David T. Alexander both gave the book their highest recommendations.
I have a 1909 VDB wheat cent never heard much about it until I found it at an estate auction, does it hold a value?
@Ken Raulston Even in G4 (low collectible) condition a Philadelphia 1909 VDB cent should retail in the 5 to 7 dollar range. Of course its dealer-buying price will be less. There are many online values sites that can give you an estimate for your coin. My 2¢ (/lame_joke) is that you should stick to sites run and reviewed by professional numismatists because general-auction sites aren’t always carefully curated and can vary widely in quality.
Have a couple of 19 VDB in really good shape really wanting a 1909 S, VDB!
Just checking to see if you ever found a 1909S VDB penny?
I have one 1909s VDB
I have a Julius Caesar original four horses and chariot coin. I am wondering what it’s worth is? I have looked on line for months now and i still font know its value. Do you happen to have any ideal of what its wort?