The Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincolns birth. The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner a New York sculptor and avid coin collector. The first coins issued carried Brenner's intials on the bottom reverse. Though this was far from the first time a designers intials were put on a coin, the public complained the initials were too prominent and they were removed that same year. The initials were restored in 1918, on the obverse just under Lincoln's shoulder. These coins are true numismatic classics and are a must for any coin collector!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON CONDITION: Because copper and bronze coins can tone rather quickly, even without ever entering circulation, numismatists group uncirculated copper coins into three catagories to describe color or brilliance. Red, would best describe a copper coin that looks as if it just left the mint. These represent a very small percentange of all "coppers" and generally need to be well preserved to keep this brilliance. Coins from the early part of the 20th century and back can command huge premiums with fully red surfaces. Red and Brown (R&B) is a coin whose red color has mellowed. Red and Brown coins can show anywhere from about 25% of their original mint red to nearly full redness. The last group is brown. Under most circumstances a copper coins mint red will eventually turn to all brown, just like most pennies you will find in change. While not as desirable as the other two, brown "UNC" coins (which will often show some red) are still very collectible and can be a good way to acquire quality coins on a limited budget. Copper coins which have been cleaned to simulate original red color will usually be valued at less than a brown coin.