1909 VDB 1C, RD MS(PCGS#2425)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

3008

Erhaltungsgrad

MS68RD

Preis

31.200

Losbeschreibung

A coin of exceptional beauty, unsurpassable quality, and tremendous numismatic significance. The surfaces are intensely lustrous with a billowy satin texture that provides some cartwheel visual effects as they rotate under a light. Also bathed in wonderfully original mint color, both sides exhibit blended shades of deep orange and reddish-rose that deliver outstanding eye appeal. Virtually pristine with a full, razor sharp strike rounding out a memorable list of physical attributes.<p>The centennial of Lincoln's birth in 1909 provided an opportunity for Theodore Roosevelt to continue with his "pet crime" to revitalize the nation's coin designs. Sculptor and medalist Victor David Brenner had designed some medals for Roosevelt in 1908 and also created a bronze plaque featuring the now familiar profile of Lincoln. Brenner suggested to Roosevelt that the cent would be an excellent choice to commemorate Lincoln, especially since Longacre's Indian design was half a century old by that time. Brenner modified the bust from his plaque for the obverse and placed a pair of durum wheat stalks on the reverse surrounding the denomination, a simple but very distinctive design. Brenner placed his initials at the very bottom on the reverse, a decision that would come to be controversial. With some modifications, by late May models were prepared for approval by newly inaugurated President William H. Taft with the final version approved by Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh on July 14, for an August 2 release date. The Philadelphia Mint had a head start on production of the new coins, while San Francisco did not receive the dies until late June. Long lines formed for the new coins and they quickly proved to be a hit with the public. Almost immediately the initials on the reverse prompted questions and soon their seemingly prominent placement proved to be too much; within days new dies were prepared with the initials removed entirely.<p>Commencing coinage on June 10, 1909, the Philadelphia Mint had already produced nearly 28 million of the new 1909 V.D.B. cents ahead of the release date. The mintage was specifically capped at 27,994,580, coinage ceasing on August 5 by order of Treasury Secretary MacVeagh because of the controversy surrounding the placement of the V.D.B. initials. Given their popularity with contemporary Americans - both numismatists and non-collectors - large numbers of Philadelphia Mint 1909 V.D.B. cents were set aside at the time, and the issue has always been common in Mint State. This includes even full Red Gems in grades such as MS-65 RD and MS-66 RD, at which levels the 1909 V.D.B. is a mainstay in both type collections and Lincoln cent sets. As with all classic U.S. Mint issues, however, one eventually reaches a level as they progress up the numismatic grading scale at which even an otherwise plentiful coin becomes significant as a condition rarity. For the 1909 V.D.B., the scales start to tip at MS-67 RD, and when one reaches the MS-68 RD level they are confronted with a landmark rarity. Representing one of only seven grading events in PCGS MS-68 RD, the awe-inspiring Ultra Gem offered here would serve as a centerpiece in even the finest numismatic cabinet.