The coins were released on August 2, 1909. This new cent was in such high demand that many banks ran out of them on the first day. After just two days in circulation the Mint stopped production on the Lincoln Wheat Cent due to public protest over the prominence of the artist's initials (V.D.B) on the reverse of the coin. The initials were removed and production resumed within the same month, making the Lincoln Wheat Cent 1909 V.D.B. a highly sought after coin by collectors. Brenner's initials were restored in a diminished size in 1918 on the obverse of the coin above Lincoln's shoulder.

In 1943 the composition of the Lincoln wheat cent was changed to zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for munitions needed in World War II. The steel cents encountered problems ranging from production difficulties to appearance and use in circulation. The following year the War Production board made copper, taken from discarded shell casings, available to the Mint and the composition was changed to 95% copper & 5% zinc. In 1947 the coin was returned to the original pre-war composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc/tin alloy.

Lincoln Wheat Cents were issued by the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.