1909 VDDR VDDR-030

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Reverse

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VarietyVista

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Market Value

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Rarity Index

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Discovery Date

1909

Last Sold

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Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-???? and DMR-0?? (indicating pending catalog assignment for the identifier codes), this 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent VDDR-030 displays light spread on TE of UNITED, F of OF, TA of STATES, and M of AMERICA — a selective pattern where only specific letter groups within the reverse inscriptions show detectable doubling. Three die stages are documented: Stage A in early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B in mid-die-state with a light die scratch from the first S of STATES to the N of CENT, a die chip in the upper B of LIBERTY at late die state (LDS), and a die crack along the lower bust to the rim; and Stage C in late die state, unconfirmed. The reverse die variety is identified as RDV-002 (with deep-cut N, V.D.B. designer initials) or RDV-001 (with shallow-cut N, V.D.B.), and the Stage B obverse is the same obverse die used for VDDR-015 but in a later die state, establishing a documented die pair linkage between two different varieties. The 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent is the inaugural year of what would become the longest-running coin design in U.S. history. Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln debuted that year, initially with the V.D.B. initials on the reverse before public controversy led to their removal mid-year. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter, the 1909 date holds foundational significance for Lincoln Cent collectors. The shared obverse die between VDDR-030 Stage B and VDDR-015 in LDS documents how individual dies progressed through multiple pairings during their service life.