1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse VDDR-041

Description

From the inaugural year of the Lincoln Wheat Cent, this doubled die reverse shows light spread on TE of UNITED, F of OF, TA of STATES, and M of AMERICA. The reverse is cataloged under two RDV (Reverse Die Variety) designations: RDV-004 featuring a deep cut N with no V.D.B. designer initials, and RDV-003 with a shallow cut N and also no V.D.B. — the absence of Victor David Brenner’s initials places this on the later 1909 reverse die used after public criticism prompted their removal. Die markers are cataloged as UVC-???? DMR-0?? (placeholder codes) across four stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B with the reverse in early die state and a die crack from shoulder to rim at early-to-mid die state, Stage C with the reverse in mid die state and a die crack from head to the E of WE at late-to-mid die state, and Stage D in late die state (unconfirmed). The shoulder die crack is farther east than VDDR-029, providing a differential diagnostic between the two varieties. Attributed by VarietyVista, the four documented die stages make this a productive variety for studying progressive die deterioration.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-0??
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse is EDS
• Die crack shoulder to rim – EMDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse is MDS
• Die crack from head to E of WE – LMDS
• Stage D:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References