1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — PCGS Genuine | Cleaned-UNC Detail | Key Date | San Francisco Mint

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — PCGS Certified Genuine | Cleaned-UNC Detail | Key Date | San Francisco Mint

One of the most famous and sought-after coins in all of American numismatics — the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — certified genuine by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) with the designation Cleaned-UNC Detail. PCGS has confirmed this coin as genuine and attributes it an Uncirculated detail grade, noting that the coin has been cleaned at some point in its history — a detail that is fully disclosed and reflected in the price. The coin displays the design elements, strike, and surface preservation consistent with an Uncirculated example. Despite the cleaning note, this remains an authentic, problem-free-for-type example of the single most collected key date in the Lincoln cent series.

Certification Details

• Country: United States
• Year: 1909-S VDB
• Denomination: 1 Cent
• Grade: Genuine — Cleaned-UNC Detail
• Certification No.: 2426.92/46667820
• Certifying Body: PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)

Coin Specifications

• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
• Diameter: 19.05 mm
• Weight: 3.11 g
• Edge: Plain
• Obverse Designer: Victor David Brenner (Lincoln portrait)
• Reverse Designer: Victor David Brenner (wheat ears, VDB initials)
• Mint: San Francisco Mint (“S” mintmark)

Why the 1909-S VDB Is So Famous

The 1909-S VDB is the premier key date of the Lincoln cent series and one of the most recognized coins in American numismatics. When the Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 — the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth — designer Victor David Brenner’s prominent initials VDB appeared on the reverse at the bottom. Public controversy over the prominent display of the designer’s initials led the U.S. Mint to remove the VDB initials partway through the 1909 production run. Coins bearing the VDB reverse were struck at both Philadelphia (no mintmark) and San Francisco (S mintmark) before the initials were removed.

The San Francisco VDB had a drastically lower mintage — just 484,000 pieces — compared to over 27 million Philadelphia VDB cents struck in the same year. This tiny mintage, combined with the coin’s immediate recognition as a rarity and intense collector demand from the very first day of issue, means that the 1909-S VDB has been one of the most actively collected and sought-after United States coins for over 115 years. It is the cornerstone of virtually every Lincoln cent collection and remains one of the most famous American coins regardless of series.

The VDB Initials

The initials VDB — for Victor David Brenner — appear on the reverse at the bottom, between the wheat stalks below ONE CENT. Brenner was a Lithuanian-born sculptor and medallist who designed both the Lincoln portrait and the original wheat reverse. His initials were removed from the reverse in 1909 and did not return to the coin until 1918, when they were discreetly added to Lincoln’s shoulder on the obverse — where they remain today.

Note on Cleaning

PCGS has noted that this coin has been cleaned at some point in its history, preventing a numeric grade assignment. The coin is certified Genuine and attributed UNC Detail, confirming that the underlying preservation is consistent with an Uncirculated example. The cleaning is fully disclosed and is reflected in the price. For collectors seeking an authentic 1909-S VDB at a more accessible price point than a problem-free graded example, this PCGS-certified genuine piece represents a compelling opportunity to own the most famous Lincoln cent key date.

Why This Coin Belongs in Your Collection

The 1909-S VDB is not merely a coin — it is an icon of American numismatic history. With only 484,000 minted, it was rare from the very day it was struck, and over 115 years of collector demand have made problem-free examples increasingly difficult to obtain. This PCGS-certified genuine example — authenticated by the world’s leading third-party grading service — offers the collector an opportunity to own the key date of the Lincoln series with confidence in its authenticity. Whether you are completing a Lincoln cent set, building a collection of great American rarities, or simply seeking one of the most storied coins in US numismatics, the 1909-S VDB belongs in your collection.

Encapsulated in an original PCGS sealed holder. Tampering with the holder invalidates the certification opinion. Have holder replaced if inner package/seal is not intact.

The PCGS-certified coin shown is the exact coin you will receive. Guaranteed authentic.