1961P-5DER-001T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Joey Kim of Hawaii and attributed by Trail Dies, this trail die reverse on a 1961 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel documents die markers at Stage C in late die state. On the obverse, a die scratch appears in the bottom of the queue below the bow. The reverse shows a large vertical die scratch in the field to the left of the Monticello building. A trail die forms when misalignment between the hub and die during the hubbing process creates a partial secondary impression that trails across the die surface, transferring faint displaced design elements onto every coin struck from that die. The late die state classification on both sides indicates this die pair had seen extended use before the trail die characteristics were documented, and the large vertical die scratch on the reverse may have developed through progressive die wear. Struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel composition at the Philadelphia Mint, this 1961 Jefferson Nickel carries the classic Felix Schlag design that was in production from 1938. Trail die varieties represent a specialized collecting area distinct from doubled dies and repunched mintmarks.

Die Markers

• Stage “C“, obverse is LDS – a die scratch is seen in the bottom of the queue below the bow.
• Reverse is LDS – a large vertical die scratch is seen in the field to the left of the Monticello building.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joey Kim of Hawaii
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References