Designed by: Victor David Brenner
Issue Date: 1909
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.11 grams (48 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 28,479,000

After a fifty-year run, the Indian cent design was replaced by a new design, honoring President Abraham Lincoln on the centennial of his birth. Designed by Victor D. Brenner, his initials appeared at the bottom of the reverse on the first issues, but their prominence led to a public outcry, and they were quickly removed later in 1909. This led to an early “key” date, as only 484,000 pieces with the “V.D.B.” on the reverse were struck in San Francisco. While for many earlier issues, this quantity might even appear to be high, for a series as popular as Lincoln Cents, demand has exceeded supply resulting in a rather high price. The initials were restored in 1918, but in very small size and placed inconspicuously at the base of Lincoln’s bust on the obverse.