I'm looking at the 1909 VDB DDO FS-1101, as offered in this auction. Now, if someone showed me a coin with features like this, I'd dismiss it as machine doubling without a second thought -- the doubled features are as "flat and shelf-like" as I've ever seen. What earns this coin its own variety? Is it just that enough identical specimens have been found, indicating that they were struck from a die with these features? Or is there something inherent in the features that lets you distinguish them from machine doubling?
Images can make it tough to tell the difference. After you handle a few true DDO,s in hand, it gets a bit easier.
Okay, I think I see it now. When I'm at home I'll try highlighting the relevant features in Photoshop and posting the result here, just to make sure I'm seeing the right thing. Thanks!
This is a well documented variety and the doubling on the Y in Liberty seals the deal IMO about the doubling being caused by a doubled die. Having said that, I understand you what you are saying about most of the doubling on this variety appearing shelf like. In addition, I am a novice at variety collecting and the Cherrypicker's Guide is my friend.
