Editing Penny (United States coin) (section)

===Wheat cent (1909–1958)===
A study of three potential reverses resulted in the approval of a very simple design bearing two [[wheat]]heads in memorial style. Between these, in the center of the coin, are the denomination and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while curving around the upper border is the national motto, ''[[E pluribus unum|E Pluribus Unum]]'', [[Latin]] for "Out of Many, One".

The original model bore Brenner's name on the reverse, curving along the rim below UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Before the coins were issued, however, the initials "VDB" were substituted because officials at the [[United States Mint]] felt the name was too prominent. After the coin was released, many protested that even the initials were conspicuous and detracted from the design. Because the coin was in great demand, and because to make a change would have required halting production, the decision was made to eliminate the initials entirely. In 1918, after the controversy over Brenner's name and initials on the reverse had died down, his initials were placed on the obverse with no further controversy. They are to be found in minute form on the rim of the bust, just under the shoulder of Lincoln.

Thus in 1909 the U.S. had six different cents: the 1909 and 1909-S [[Indian Head cent]]s, and four Lincoln coins: 1909 '''VDB''', 1909-S VDB, 1909 and 1909-S. In all cases the [[Philadelphia]] mintages far exceeded the [[San Francisco]] issues. While the smallest mintage is the '09-S Indian, the '09-S VDB is the key Lincoln date, and hence is most valuable. Its mintage of 484,000 is only 1.7% of the plain V.D.B.