V.D.B.

When you have done a mighty deed

    You should feel good

And fame should put you in its lead,

    Of course it should.

You should get credit, wealth and fame,

    From sea to shining sea;

If not your own and given name,

    Then V.D.B.

Just think or Binns, and all the rest,

    The fame each wins;

With more than J.B. is he blest

    It’s “brave Jack Binns!”

Just think of gallant Theodore,

    “T.R.,” is he;

This mighty Russian should get more

   Than V.D.B.

Let jealous politicians scoff,

   To rant give vent;

Those letters three must not come off

    The Lincoln cent.

Nay, let it have the whole blame’ name

    That all may see

Enlarge the penny and the fame

    Of V.D.B.!

Aug. 9, ‘09

  Published in Jocosities, as ‘The Fame of V.D.B.’, August 10, 1909

‘V.D.B.’ are the artist’s initials.

For an explanation of the controversy, see:

http://www.pcgs.com/News/The-Controversial-1909-Vdb-Lincoln-Cent