Lincoln Wheat (1909-1958)

The Lincoln Wheat Cent (sometimes referred to as a Straw penny, Wheat penny, Wheat back, Wheat Head, or Wheatie) was a United States one-cent coin produced from 1909 to 1958. Both the obverse and the reverse were designed by Victor David Brenner, a New York sculptor. Brenner’s initials, V.D.B., were included on the reverse of the coin below the two stylized wheat stalks on a limited number of the coins until public controversy forced their removal. Brenner’s initials were restored to the obverse, below Lincoln’s shoulder, in 1918.