The 1909 VDB cent is the first entry in the long-running Lincoln series. The 1909 VDB cent, prominently portraying the initials of the coin's sculptor-engraver Victor David Brenner, was produced for a few weeks at the Philadelphia Mint before production of the coin was temporarily halted. Public outcry on the prominence of Brenner's VDB initials on the reverse of the coin under the wheat stalks prompted officials with the US Mint to remove the offending letters. Brenner's VDB initials weren't restored to the coin until 1918, when they were placed in tiny script under Lincoln's shoulder on the obverse.

While 1909 VDB pennies were made in fewer numbers than their same-year non-VDB counterparts, the Philadelphia coins are not numismatically scarce. There are plenty of survivors to go around and in Brown are plentiful right up through the Gem Uncirculated grades. 1909 VDB Lincoln cents are sought by both series enthusiasts and type collectors wanting an example of this popular one-year-only coin.