| Author |
 Replies: 6 / Views: 3,548 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
129 Posts |
This is a 1909 vdb Lincoln Cent with the vdb so faint that it is almost invisible. I consider this to be a legitimate die variety. In 1909, Charles Barber, chief engraver of the US Mint, became enraged over the prominent V.D.B. initials on the reverse of the new cent. He ordered the initials removed. Rather than hub new working dies, mint employees were tasked with manually honing out the initials on the existing working dies. In at least a couple of cases this was done sloppily, and remnants of the V.D.B. remained. I used to have an example of a 1909 vdb with the top half of the V.D.B. cleanly sheared off, so only the bottom half was visible. I sold it years ago, and now regret it. I have also seen one report of a 1910 Lincoln with a very faint V.D.B. In any case, I do assert that this is a die variety, and as such, collectible.    |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1667 Posts |
I consider it a damaged 1909 V.D.B. cent , and that's the best I can come up with, it might just be a 1909 no V.D.B. with damage to make it looks like it had it there once. but looks like it's a damaged 1909 VDB really.
The mint was ordered to remove the VDB from the reverse. they couldn't do that because it would leave a depression, they had to make new master hub, master die, and working dies.
the VDB is raised on the coin, meaning it's sunk on the dies. to "shave it off" would leave an unsightly depression.
there are "weak VDB's",this is from grease filling the letters on the die, it's even possible that's what you got here, but it's quite impossible for them to have ignored the order or shave down the die, but not enough, because it would have been extremely low relief. or, there would be a pocket where it used to be had they only worked the VDB letters alone.
Edited by Big-Kingdom
10/05/2020 4:34 pm
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
129 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Just a fishing story. If there were examples, there would be a lot more of these found as one die could produce one million coins. This coin is just showing circulation damage to the coin. If there were such of an example, the wheat stems would also be affected. Full stems tell me that, that is not case. There were 4 different reverses for that year:     Looking at several examples of the 003 and 004 for 1910, it seems like they are several of these of both numbers, but they were not all the same in 1910. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I agree with the upthread comments. As Big-K said, to remove the VDB you would have to dip below the surface of the die to remove the Initials (since they are incuse on the die) which would create a gouge in the die. This would cause a raised area on the coin where VDB would have been. Not seeing that on yours, nor have I seen it on any 09 LWC. |
|
Valued Member
United States
129 Posts |
The comments and analysis are appreciated. >> ... they had to make new master hub, master die, and working dies. << Yes, it's obvious that the working dies could not be altered, and they were likely discarded or destroyed. But, the working hubs might possibly have been altered. That would not leave a high spot where the V.D.B. was. As for dismissing Sol Taylor as a know nothing amateur ... https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/s...or-about.htm |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
I agree with Big-Kingdom's comments above. As Big-K said, "I consider it a damaged 1909 V.D.B. cent" and I concur. .Lots of hit marks hold this one down, but hey, if you like it, of course collect it! Is it the historical coin you furnished with the links? Not so certain, but if you think so, go for it! Thanks for sharing.  |
| |
Replies: 6 / Views: 3,548 |
|
Posted 10/05/2020 5:32 pm
