| The 1909 VDB Lincoln Cent was the first Lincoln Cent issued in the series which has now lasted over 100 years. The 1909 VDB is also a one-year type coin as it was the only year the designer's initials were located on the reverse of the coin. After only a couple of weeks of production, Brenner's initials were removed from the reverse of the coin, creating this highly popular variety. Surprisingly, during the short run of production of 1909 VDB Lincoln Cents, two different doubled die obverse varieties were produced. The second of which, designated as FS-1102 is said to be more rare than the FS-1101, though it is not as expensive as the more collected FS-1101 which shows more extreme doubling. The doubling on the obverse of the FS-1102 can be seen with an extra thickness on the first 9 in 1909 as well as in the letters of LIBERTY, particularly in the B and R. Other diagnostics of the FS-1102 include die clashing under Lincoln's chin and under the C of CENT on the reverse.
This PCGS graded MS64RD example of the FS-1102 doubled die obverse offered here is an amazing example for the assigned grade. The coin shows the variety very well, but appears to be an earlier die state as the characteristic die clashing is not present on either side. The color and luster of the coin is above-average for the grade as the coin has full cartwheel luster on both sides and a beautiful and even red-orange color. The coin does exhibit some light spotting, much less noticeable in hand, which likely limited the grade of this coin to MS64RD. Overall, an excellent example of this doubled die obverse variety for the grade.
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