Hello folks! I purchased a great looking 1909 VDB from a local shop and upon closer examination discovered a few die cracks on both the obverse and reverse of the coin. On the obverse, the crack runs from just above Lincoln's eye to the W of We. There is also a fainter one that connects to this one and runs perpendicular. On the reverse there are two cracks, one from each ear of wheat to the rim located roughly at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. My question is worth having it professionally looked at?
Sorry Hunt, I don't think my camera can get in that close. It does have me a little excited though as it is my understanding that some care was given to the minting of the early Lincoln Cents.
"professionally looked at" for what? Die cracks will add nothing to its value. In fact in the extreme, will probably decrease it value.
I dunno! This is all pretty much new to me, but there are instances where a die crack can add to the value such as the Scarface variety Morgan, Extra Hair Peace Dollars, etc. As I mentioned, my interest is piqued due to the fact that some care was given to the minting of the early Lincolns. After all this is the first coin to depict a President and not just any President. I am sure that an eye was out for things like cracked dies and such.
And just how many varieties are there for the 1909- VDB? Or more specifically, how many varieties with identifying die cracks? Only the DD is worth something so far as I am aware.
Like rlm said, the two major doubled die obverse varieties (FS-1101 and FS-1102) of the 1909 VDB Lincoln will care a premium in just about any grade. I've seen many 1909 VDB cents and currently own around 100 of them in grades from circulated up to MS67RD. Several show die cracks here and there. Remember, although care was taken in minting the new design, they did make quite a bit of them and the dies sometimes got worn out and cracked. Typically, minor die cracks on these will add no premium to the value as Lincoln collectors don't get as nutty over things like that like the Morgan and Peace Dollar guys. However, from what you're describing the cracking may be more significant that the typical 1909 VDB die cracks. If so, the coin may be worth a slight premium, but only to a die hard collector of Lincolns or 1909 cents I would imagine.
I know of only two varieties for the 1909 VDB of which only one shows a die chip in the R of Liberty, the FS-1102 I believe. I know that this is no 1917-D DDO or some other monster of a variety, but these die cracks are interesting just the same.
The '09 VDB also has a DD Reverse variety 1909-1DR-005, a class 4, (on Coppercoins.com) , but not in CPG.
I forgot about the VDB DDR variety... I have a DDR certified in the old ANACS holder of a 1909 Lincoln, but not the VDB... not sure which of the 4 DDRs it is though cause I don't have a microscope to figure it out!!!! The FS-1102 is usually easy to spot because of the die chips like CRudolph mentioned and there are also a couple of easy to spot clash marks that are on the FS-1102. But the doubling is minor. The FS-1101 has some clear doubling that is much more significant as seen here:
