How well do you know the Lincoln Cent? #1

[Guest]

I just came across some facts regarding Lincoln Cents. This is just for fun so I ask some simple questions and we will have some fun for this weekend. If it is fun and useful please let me know.


1. For what reasons did the Secretary of the Treasury criticize the design of the 1909 cent.
2. What action did the Secretary of the Treasury take immediately after.
3. Why did the San Francisco Mint produce only about 484,000 for 1909
4. Although the production of the 1943 cents was unique,what was the greatest concern about that years production.
5. What action was taken as a result.

That's all for now.

Lucien

[Roller]

1- The designer's initial were "too prominent".
2- Removal of the VDB from the bottom reverse.
3-Don't know 3. (The place burned down? LOL)
4-Copper was in shortage for the war and the question was what metal to substitute?
5-The zinc coated steel penny was born?
I know 4 and 5 are simplistic and probably not what you have in mind. On the other hand, the question is broad and open so the answers should be correct (among other correct answers).

[jilson]

#3 - San Fran received the dies late in the year?

[coinman2009]

Those guess's sound about spot on! Cool Post!

[rlm's cents]

#1 The designer's initials
#2 The initials were removed
#3 My book says they made 2.6M cents in SF during 1909. However, you are obviously referring to the VDB cents. How about they only received 4 dies?
#4 Rust?
#5 They zinc plated the cents?

[hasfam]

I agree with Jilson on #3. I think he is right about the late arriving dies.

[copperlover]

You are all very warm so far but a few of the answers are not specific. The first question is very tricky so rethink it. So far some pretty good answers. Keep rolling.

Lucien

[rlm's cents]

I agree with Jilson on #3. I think he is right about the late arriving dies.

Maybe so, but they still managed to mint 1.8M cents after they were finished with the VDB cents.

[copperlover]

No one answered # 2 precisely. You can have another try for both 1 & 2

Lucien

[Roller]

No one answered # 2 precisely. You can have another try for both 1 & 2

Lucien

Went to Congress and bill was passed to remove the initials and place them under the bust on the obverse where they now are.

[liveandievarieties]

VDB wasn't placed on the base of the bust until 1918

[Roller]

VDB wasn't placed on the base of the bust until 1918

I stand corrected. Whats 9 years among friends? LOL

[Maineman750]

Only problem is that different reasons for #1 are given in different accounts....unknown reasons, initials too prominent, the Secretary did not know they were there,public criticism, etc. However, he did stop production and had the initials removed before continuing.

[copperlover]

Maineman I must say you know your history but great help from Chris. I'll let the others continue. I'm loving this forum too much.

Lucien

[abe]

Wasn't there something about leaving only the B initial, but it was time consuming and it was also dropped?