1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent - Doubled Die Reverse VDDR-058

Description

Fifty-eighth documented doubled die reverse for the inaugural 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent, this VarietyVista-cataloged variety displays light spread on the TE of UNITED, the F of OF, the TA of STATES, and the M of AMERICA — a distribution pattern indicating the hub misalignment primarily affected the upper reverse legend area. Die markers include UVC-???? and DMR-0?? (awaiting formal code assignment), with Stage A documenting the reverse in Early Die State accompanied by a light die crack from the bust to the rim. Stage B is Mid Die State (unconfirmed) and Stage C is Late Die State (unconfirmed). The reverse die is identified as either RDV-004 (Deep cut N, no V.D.B.) or RDV-003 (Shallow cut N, no V.D.B.), both reverse die varieties lacking Victor David Brenner's initials — indicating this variety appears on coins struck after the controversial V.D.B. initials were removed from the reverse partway through the 1909 production run. The EDS die crack from bust to rim in Stage A serves as a key die stage marker, and its presence even in the earliest documented state suggests the die may have had a pre-existing stress fracture from manufacturing. Fifty-eight doubled die reverses for the 1909 Lincoln Cent underscores the extraordinary level of variety research devoted to this landmark date, which introduced both the Lincoln portrait and the first regular-issue U.S. coin to bear a president's likeness. The light spread on the affected letters requires careful examination under magnification to confirm.

Die Markers

• UVC-????
• DMR-0??
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Light die crack bust to rim – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References