1909 VDDR VDDR-026

Description

Light spread on TE of UNITED, F of OF, TA of STATES, and M of AMERICA identifies this twenty-sixth doubled die reverse for the inaugural 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent — one of the most historically significant dates in American numismatics. The reverse die variety is documented with two possible reverse design variants: RDV-004 (Deep cut N, no V.D.B.) and RDV-003 (Shallow cut N, no V.D.B.), both indicating this DDR appears on cents without Victor David Brenner's initials. Brenner's V.D.B. initials were removed from the reverse partway through 1909 production after public objection, creating the famous VDB/no-VDB distinction. VarietyVista tracks this under UVC codes that remain unassigned (listed as "????"), indicating incomplete cataloging, with DMR number also pending. Stage A documents the reverse in Early Die State with a die crack from the head to the rim east of IN developing at Mid Die State. Stages B and C (MDS and LDS) are unconfirmed. The reference to two possible reverse design variants reflects the complexity of 1909 Lincoln Cent die research, where multiple master hubs were used and subtle differences in letter cutting distinguish the variants. Twenty-six documented DDR varieties for the first year of one of America's longest-running coin designs demonstrates the exhaustive research applied to this pivotal date in Lincoln Cent numismatics.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-0??
• Stage
• A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Die crack head to rim East of IN – MDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Blaine Neupert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References