1909 VDDR VDDR-025

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die marker codes UVC-???? and DMR-0?? (codes pending final assignment), the 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent VDDR-025 exhibits light spread on the TE of UNITED, the F of OF, the TA of STATES, and the M of AMERICA — a partial-word doubling pattern where the hub displacement vector intersected different portions of the reverse lettering at varying angles, producing visible doubling on selected letter groups while leaving adjacent characters unaffected. This variety tracks across three die states with an unusual feature: the reverse and obverse dies are at different points in their wear cycles. Stage A pairs an EDS reverse with an LDS obverse, Stage B pairs an MDS reverse (unconfirmed) with an EDS obverse, and Stage C pairs an LDS reverse (unconfirmed) with an MDS obverse. The notes identify this reverse as RDV-004 (Deep cut N, no V.D.B.) or possibly RDV-003 (Shallow cut N, no V.D.B.), referring to specific reverse die varieties distinguishable by the depth of the N cut in CENT and the absence of the Victor David Brenner initials that appeared on some 1909 reverse dies. This is described as a generic listing for coins exhibiting two die states difference between the reverse and obverse dies, meaning the obverse die had already seen significant use before being paired with a relatively fresh reverse die. The 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent, designed by Victor David Brenner, inaugurated the Lincoln portrait on American coinage — the first time a real historical person appeared on a regular-issue U.S. coin. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper at 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter, the 1909 issue is one of the most collected dates in all of American numismatics. The mismatched die state pairing documented here offers insight into the Mint's die management practices during this historically significant first year of Lincoln Cent production.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-0??
• Stage
• A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Obverse is LDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse is MDS (unconfirmed)
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse is LDS (unconfirmed)
• Obverse is MDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jay Painter
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References