The Lincoln Penny has been struck by the US Mint since 1909. Originally designed by Victor David Brenner, featuring US President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse w/"One Cent - United States Of America" text flanked by two wheat stalks on the reverse. Brenner's initials, which he had placed at the base of the reverse, immediately became a source of controversy. On Aug. 5, 1909, coinage of the cent was suspended until the coins could be struck w/a more inconspicuous "B" initial. However, removing the initials and striking new pieces w/o initials would lead to a 3-day delay in coinage; effacing the initials and inserting an initial "B" would cause a 14-day delay. It was decided that the coins would be struck w/no initials. Brenner objected to the removal of his initials, but his protests were to no avail. The cents w/o Brenner's initials were in production by Aug. 12, 1909. The coin offered here was minted at the San Francisco Mint and includes the full "VDB" initials on obverse. From the Robert M. Overstreet Collection and comes with COA.