1985P-1DEO-002T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Found by Joe Koelling — who also discovered the Type II counter clash CCLTII-1C-1985-01 for this date — the 1985P-1DEO-002T is a trail die obverse variety on the 1985 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent at Stage B. The obverse is in mid-die state (MDS) with a small die gouge to the left of WE providing the primary diagnostic. The reverse presents a strikingly different condition: also MDS, it has been heavily abraded with random die scratches throughout the surface. Heavy abrasion of this nature typically results from aggressive die maintenance — mint workers grinding the die face to remove clash marks or imperfections — and the randomness distinguishes it from systematic directional scratches seen on routinely polished dies. Koelling's contribution of both a trail die and a counter clash for the same date highlights the depth of expertise individual researchers bring to the field. The trail lines combined with the extensively abraded reverse make this a variety of particular interest to die-state specialists. Struck on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm from Philadelphia's 1985 production of approximately 5.65 billion cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen to the left of the word WE.
• Reverse is MDS – the reverse has been heavily abraded and has random die scratches throughout.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joe Koelling
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References