1909 VDDR VDDR-014

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Reverse

Attribution

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VarietyVista

Original Research

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Market Value

N/A

Rarity Index

N/A

Discovery Date

1909

Last Sold

N/A

Description

Attributed by VarietyVista as VDDR-014, this doubled die reverse variety on the 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln Wheat cent presents light spread on the TE of UNITED, F of OF, TA of STATES, and M of AMERICA on the reverse design. The 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19 mm diameter. Though the Universal Variety Code and Die Marker Reference numbers are not yet assigned, three die stages have been identified. Stage A is at early die state (unconfirmed). Stage B, at early-to-mid die state, is marked by a die scratch connecting the lower LUR and lower IBU of PLURIBUS, a die scratch from the F of OF running northeast to the T of UNITED, and a die crack from the front of the shoulder to the rim. Stage C is at late die state (unconfirmed). The Stage B die markers are particularly useful for attribution, as the connecting die scratch between PLURIBUS letters and the shoulder-to-rim crack provide distinctive diagnostics that differentiate VDDR-014 from the many other doubled die reverse varieties cataloged for this historic first-year Lincoln cent issue. VarietyVista commentary identifies the reverse as RDV-002 (deep cut N, V.D.B.) or RDV-001 (shallow cut N, V.D.B.), meaning this reverse die retains the V.D.B. initials near the bottom rim, unlike some other 1909 reverse dies prepared after the initials were removed mid-production. Victor David Brenner's wheat ears reverse design, with its detailed lettering and botanical elements, served as the standard Lincoln cent reverse from 1909 through 1958 and provides ample surface area where hub doubling can manifest as light spreading of design elements.