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Message:: [QUOTE="iPen, post: 2971892, member: 69760"]Many of you already know that the 1909 VDB cent was controversial due to the prominent appearance of Victor D. Brenner's "VDB" initials. It seems that at least up until then and around that time, designers putting their initials on coins was frowned upon. However, the very first commemorative coin - the Columbian half dollar - absolutely does have one. Yet, it didn't receive much criticism, if any at all. It seems that the half's designer, George T. Morgan, hid his initial "M" next to the boat's sails. Being a klutz, I missed this several times while researching Columbian proof die markers not too long ago. Maybe other coins of the era have initials and I may have just missed them (I know that the Peace dollar does but that's post-1909). In any case, I don't see why Morgan would need to hide the letter "M" like that if it wasn't a big deal. Was this a secret initial by Morgan to leave his mark? Did it go completely unnoticed by the Mint, or was it OK'd because it was well concealed? [ATTACH=full]729250[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]729251[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]