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"The Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. It was the first U.S. coin to portray an actual person, and the first cent to bear the motto "In God We Trust." Sculptor and engraver Victor David had been chosen to design the new cent becasues the artistry of Chief Engraver Charles Barber was under heavy criticism at the time. The new cent was released on August 2, 1909, and the earliest coins of the year's issue had Brenner's initials ( V.D.B. ) on the reverse. The public objected to the size of the designer's initials ( V.D.B., for Victor D. Brenner ), which were placed at the bottom of the reverse. The initials were removed shortly after the first of 1909 cents were released." - Whitman Publishing