1909 VDDR VDDR-031

Description

Thirty-first documented doubled die reverse for the 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent, this VarietyVista variety shows light spread on the TE of UNITED, the F of OF, the TA of STATES, and the M of AMERICA. Die markers include a die scratch running from the last S of STATES to the upper T of CENT, visible in early die state, with the obverse also in early die state. Mid-die and late die states remain unconfirmed, with provisional designations UVC-???? and DMR-0?? awaiting final assignment. A critical attribution note indicates this reverse belongs to either RDV-002 (Deep cut N, V.D.B.) or RDV-001 (Shallow cut N, V.D.B.), referencing the Reverse Die Variant classification that tracks subtle differences in the lettering cuts on 1909 Lincoln Cent reverse dies. The V.D.B. initials of designer Victor David Brenner appear on both reverse variants, distinguishing these dies from the no-initials reverses that replaced them partway through 1909 production after public controversy over the prominently placed initials. Thirty-one DDRs cataloged for a single date — the inaugural year of the Lincoln Cent — reflects over a century of collector scrutiny on this historically momentous issue.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-0??
• Stage A:
• Die scratch from last S of STATES to upper T of CENT – EDS
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Blaine Neupert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References