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.