I can only guess what this is supposed to be. Since it’s a 1940 cent I’m going with a V for victory in WWII.
A WW2 victory pin most likely. This one looks like it had a pin attached at one time so that it could be worn. Bruce
These cents with a "V" on them are one part of pins made during WW2. The bottom cent that hung off the "V" cent was bent/ stamped to look like a solders helmet. I have heard that they were worn by women that had a sweetheart in the millitary. These are not good photos but you can get an idea of what the two parts looked like. The "V" part were painted Red, White & Blue.