1909 1C VDB PR66 Red PCGS. CAC. Each side displays luminous, finely textured surfaces and sharp definition, including...

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1909 VDB Cent, PR66 Red CAC
Just 3 Finer at PCGS

1909 1C VDB PR66 Red PCGS. CAC. Each side displays luminous, finely textured surfaces and sharp definition, including the broad, squared rims that many collectors look for in differentiating matte proofs from early-die-state business strikes. The reflective edge of this piece adds further assurance to its proof origins. Rich orange-gold patina characterizes the obverse, while the reverse displays slightly lighter golden-orange color. A very faint partial print is discernible in the right obverse field, while a sole tiny fleck at the bottom of the E in ONE serves as a pedigree marker.
As all U.S. coin collectors know, the Lincoln Cent was introduced in 1909, and the inaugural year saw two distinct design types. The original variety, introduced on August 2, 1909, had designer Victor David Brenner's initials, VDB, at the bottom of the reverse. However, at the direction of Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh, the initials were removed after just 10 days, and the reverse rim was reduced slightly as well. Of these two types, proof mintages stood at 1,194 VDB examples and 2,618 non-VDB coins. The VDB mintage has been the subject of some controversy over the years, as discussed by Q. David Bowers in A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents:

"The mintage of the 1909 V.D.B. Matte Proof has been stated as 420 for many years. As researcher Roger W. Burdette and others have reported, figures for Proof mintage of this era, particularly for the cent, nickel, and gold coins, are subject to question. The mintage of 1,194 Matte Proofs has been suggested by Kevin Flynn. Although Mint data supports this suggestion, surviving examples, including the number seen by certification services, suggest that far fewer ever reached numismatic channels."

This elusiveness also limits this issue's availability at the high end. Just 22% of PCGS's certifications gained the coveted Red designation, and of these, a sole 66+ and two 67s are the only finer certifications. Furthermore, the population of finer-graded, CAC-endorsed coins stands at just 2. This makes the present offering an undeniable Registry Set coin. PCGS Population: 7 in 66 (1 in 66+), 2 finer (4/26). CAC: 5 in 66, 2 finer (4/26).
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2022), lot 3883.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 22KR, PCGS# 3302, Greysheet# 2472)

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Weight: 0.10oz
Mintage: 420

View Certification Details from PCGS