1909 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-009

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-3132 and DMR-018, the 1909 DDR-009 Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits light spread and extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, AMERICA, both wheat ears, and stems — a comprehensive distribution across the reverse that affects both inscriptions and design elements. This die has an unusually rich set of Stage A markers at early-to-mid-die-state: a die scratch diagonally through ME of AMERICA, a die chip partially filling the upper R of LIBERTY, a die chip in the hair southwest of the earlobe, a die crack along the bust line, and a die clash in front of the date. The presence of five distinct markers from a single early die stage provides exceptionally strong attribution evidence. Stages B and C at mid and late die states are unconfirmed. Like DDR-006, this variety uses the RDV-003 reverse design variant (No V.D.B.) — produced after the public controversy that led to the removal of Victor David Brenner's initials from the reverse shortly after the cent's August 1909 debut. The 1909 cent was struck in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at 3.11 grams and 19 mm diameter with a plain edge. As a first-year-of-issue variety on the coin that introduced Abraham Lincoln as the first real person depicted on a regular-issue U.S. coin, DDR-009 carries significance beyond its die variety classification for collectors documenting the complete 1909 production story.

Die Markers

• UVC-3132
• DMR-018
• Stage A:
• Die scratch diagonally through ME of AMERICA – EMDS
• Die chip partially fills upper R of LIBERTY – EMDS
• Die chip in hair Southwest of earlobe
• Die crack along bust line
• Die clash in font of date
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Shockley
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References