{"product_id":"1909-s-vdb-lincoln-cent-pcgs-genuine-cleaned-unc-detail-key-date","title":"1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — PCGS Genuine | Cleaned-UNC Detail | Key Date | San Francisco Mint","description":"\u003ch2\u003e1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — PCGS Certified Genuine | Cleaned-UNC Detail | Key Date | San Francisco Mint\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most famous and sought-after coins in all of American numismatics — the \u003cstrong\u003e1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent\u003c\/strong\u003e — certified genuine by the \u003cstrong\u003eProfessional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)\u003c\/strong\u003e with the designation \u003cstrong\u003eCleaned-UNC Detail\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCertification Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1909-S VDB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 Cent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Genuine — Cleaned-UNC Detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2426.92\/46667820\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertifying Body:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCoin Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComposition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19.05 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.11 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObverse Designer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Victor David Brenner (Lincoln portrait)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReverse Designer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Victor David Brenner (wheat ears, VDB initials)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMint:\u003c\/strong\u003e San Francisco Mint (“S” mintmark)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy the 1909-S VDB Is So Famous\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 1909-S VDB is the \u003cstrong\u003epremier key date of the Lincoln cent series\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eVDB\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco VDB\u003c\/strong\u003e had a drastically lower mintage — just \u003cstrong\u003e484,000 pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe VDB Initials\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe initials \u003cstrong\u003eVDB\u003c\/strong\u003e — for \u003cstrong\u003eVictor David Brenner\u003c\/strong\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eNote on Cleaning\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePCGS has noted that this coin has been cleaned at some point in its history, preventing a numeric grade assignment. The coin is certified \u003cstrong\u003eGenuine\u003c\/strong\u003e and attributed \u003cstrong\u003eUNC Detail\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy This Coin Belongs in Your Collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEncapsulated in an original PCGS sealed holder. Tampering with the holder invalidates the certification opinion. Have holder replaced if inner package\/seal is not intact.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe PCGS-certified coin shown is the exact coin you will receive. Guaranteed authentic.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Calgary Coin Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48545006026970,"sku":"PCGS-46667820-1909SVDB-1C-GEN-CLEANED-UNC","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0732\/6584\/0346\/files\/e346c052-64ad-42fd-9117-28d55fc2645f.jpg?v=1788455721","url":"https:\/\/www.calgarycoin.com\/products\/1909-s-vdb-lincoln-cent-pcgs-genuine-cleaned-unc-detail-key-date","provider":"Calgary Coin Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}