Missing letters and numbers is a very common error caused by filled or worn dies and adds nothing to the value of the coin.
No a 1973 penny will not have VDB.
There is no such coin. The first Lincoln cents were struck in 1909. See the attached link for prices.
It is the initials of Victor David Brenner, the coin's designer.
On the bottom of Lincoln's shoulder, very near the rim.
The 1909-S VDB is the rarest and most valuable Lincoln cent that exists, and is worth no less than $500, and the value increases with better condition.
No a 1973 penny will not have VDB.
For a 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln cent, value is $3.00-$5.00 for most lower grade coins.
There is no such coin. The first Lincoln cents were struck in 1909. See the attached link for prices.
These initials belong to Victor David Brenner. He designed the front of a Lincoln penny.
It is the initials of Victor David Brenner, the coin's designer.
On the bottom of Lincoln's shoulder, very near the rim.
The 1909-S VDB is the rarest and most valuable Lincoln cent that exists, and is worth no less than $500, and the value increases with better condition.
Philadelphia - 27,995,000 with the designer's initial VDB on the back; 72,700,000 without.San Francisco - 484,000 with VDB; 1,825,000 without
The normal position for the VDB on all cents minted since 1918 is under Lincoln's bust, to the left edge of his coat. However some 1973 cents from Philadephia - no mint mark - were accidentally minted with no VDBThese pennies are worth $0.15 and up depending on condition. They are considered a mint error and collectible.The Denver and San-Fransisco (D & S) minted coins from 1973 all have the VDB under Lincoln's bust. There's more at www.collectorscorner.org/pocket.html
One of the rarest Lincoln coins is a penny. 1909S VDB. S designates that the coin was minted in San Francisco, CA and VDB are the initials of the designer of the coin.
The rarest and most valuable Lincoln cent that isn't an error is the 1909-S with VDB on it. The rarest and most valuable error Lincoln cent is the 1943 copper penny.
Have it checked by a coin dealer.