Lot 1042
1909-S. VDB. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. About 50% of the mint red is still intact. Popular Key Date and always in demand. Only 484,000 minted.
On the original models for this coin, Victor David Brenner had spelled out his name. Mint officials rejected this, so Brenner placed just his initials, VDB on the lower reverse. The White House quickly approved this, and forced the Mint to start production immediately. It turned out that the boldness of the initials worried officials, and soon the press rose up against the signature. To attempt a compromise, the initial "B" was suggested for Lincoln's shoulder, but Mint Engraver Barber (who normally used his initial "B" to sign coins), opposed this. Soon Brenner's initials were dropped altogether, until Barber's death in late 1917. Starting in 1918, a small VDB was added on the lower part of Lincoln's shoulder, where it remains to this day.
Once the public realized that coins with the VDB would be replaced due to the outcry of the bold initials on the lower reverse, many were hoarded. Hence, these have always been popular with collectors, and they have always found feverish demand (PCGS # 2427) .
Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000.
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