1987D-1DER-006T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Michael Pope, 1987D-1DER-006T on the 1987-D Lincoln Memorial cent documents a tilted trail die reverse with a split die state classification: the obverse is recorded at Stage B in mid-die state with no specific markers noted, while the reverse has progressed to late die state with two diagnostic features. A strong flow line extending from the bottom of the C in AMERICA marks the most prominent reverse indicator — flow lines in late die state represent metal displacement on the die surface that has become severe enough to produce visible raised ridges on struck coins, and one emanating from a specific letter provides a precise geographic anchor for attribution. The second reverse marker is a die gouge positioned to the left of the T in CENT, offering a secondary confirmation point. This obverse-early, reverse-late split in die state classification is not uncommon: in a die pair where the reverse accumulates damage faster than the obverse, the mint might replace the reverse die while continuing to use the obverse, but in cases where both dies remain in service, the reverse can advance to late die state while the obverse lingers at mid-die state. The tilted trail die effects on the reverse compound the late die state deterioration, making it essential for attributors to distinguish between trail-induced distortion and ordinary die wear. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987-D mintage of 4,007,632,740 cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is LDS – a strong flow line is seen from the bottom of the C in AMERICA.  A small die gouge is seen to the left of the T in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Pope
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References