1956PR-1DEO-001T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Robert M. Pelletier, this trail die obverse variety appears on the 1956 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent, one of the final proof wheat cents before the Memorial reverse replaced it in 1959. Trail die collecting documents individual working dies through their production lifecycle by tracking progressive changes in die markers, cracks, and surface deterioration. This variety is recorded at Stage B. The obverse at mid-die-state shows a small die scratch inside the G of GOD, serving as the primary diagnostic marker for attribution. No distinctive die markers have been noted on the reverse at this stage. The 1956 proof cent was struck at Philadelphia as part of the annual proof set, produced with specially polished dies and planchets to achieve mirror-like fields. Victor David Brenner's wheat ear reverse was entering its final years, making proof examples from 1956 through 1958 particularly collectible as the last of their type. Trail die specialists use stage documentation to reconstruct the production sequence, helping establish the relative order in which coins were struck from a given die pair.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a small die scratch is seen inside the G of GOD.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert M
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References