Lot 1801
1909-S Lincoln Cent. VDB. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Well struck with lots of mint red. A popular key date. According to the Breen encyclopedia, we owe the Lincoln design to a coincidence. The Lithuanian immigrant sculptor Victor David Brenner developed an obsession with the martyred President, and during the years just before Lincoln's birth centennial he modeled portrait medals and plaques. These came to the attention of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, and probably played a part in Brenner's winning a commission to portray him on the Panama Canal service medal. During the sittings, Brenner became a close friend of Roosevelt. The President confided in Brenner about his "pet crime'' (improving all our coin designs, favoring domestic artists above Mint Engraver Barber's mediocrity), and invited him to submit cent models. The rest is history (PCGS # 2427) .
Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,000.
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| Realized $2,415 |
