It is a key date variety of the one-cent coin produced by the United States Mint in San Francisco in 1909.

[a] The Lincoln penny replaced the Indian Head penny and was the first everyday U.S. coin to feature an actual person, but it was immediately met with controversy over the inclusion of the initials of the sculptor who designed the coin, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse.

The coin was delayed to add the words "In God We Trust" and eventually released August 2, 1909.

Within days of the coin's release, it was discontinued (August 6, 1909) so that Brenner's initials (VDB) could be removed from the dies.

He had the opportunity to pose for a portrait with a young Lithuanian-born Jewish artist, Victor David Brenner.

Roosevelt revered Abraham Lincoln as the savior of the Union and the greatest Republican president.

"[5] The new pennies were not issued in June when they were expected because the sculptor Victor David Brenner had not put the words "In God We Trust" above the Lincoln head.

President William Howard Taft, who assumed office in March 1909, wanted the words to appear on the coin's obverse.

[9] The artist (Brenner) told The Washington Post that he would write to the Secretary MacVeagh and demand an explanation.

The letter B was already used on silver coins by Charles E. Barber who was the mint's chief engraver so the idea of adding a "B" was rejected.

It was not until 1918, when Brenner's initials returned to the coin (this time they were on the obverse) as small letters below Lincoln's shoulder.

[2] Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, writing for Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), stated that the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent has long been considered "The Holy Grail" in penny collecting, and collectors have stated that the "1909-S VDB may always be the king of Lincoln Cents".

[25] Also writing for Coinage Magazine he stated "... it's hard to deny that the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is one of most important coins in American numismatics".

The 1909-S VDB became instantly collectable on the news of its cancellation, and more than 100 years later, it is still considered a numismatic rarity.