Wheat (1909-1958)

The Lincoln Wheat Cent was introduced in 1909 in honor of President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday. Controversy ensued shortly after its release when the public expressed its distaste over the size and placement of the designer's initials (Victor David Brenner--VDB). The initials were removed from the reverse of the coin shortly after production began, which created two varieties the first year. In 1943, a temporary copper shortage caused by World War II led the United States Mint to use zinc-coated steel. The Wheat Cent was produced until 1959 when the wheat stalks design on the reverse was replaced by an image of the Lincoln Memorial.