1987P-1DER-008WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Distinctive among the 1987 Philadelphia wide spread reverse trail dies for its clean obverse and well-defined reverse markers, 1987P-1DER-008WS is recorded at Stage B in mid-die state on both faces. No obverse die markers were noted — an absence that shifts the full attribution burden to the reverse diagnostics. On the reverse, a curved die scratch runs under the C of AMERICA, tracing an arc that distinguishes this particular die from the straight-line scratches more commonly recorded in the census. Die scratches form when foreign material or a tool scores the die surface during handling, cleaning, or installation in the press, and curved scratches suggest the scoring implement followed a rotational path rather than a linear one. A small die gouge sits to the left of the T in CENT, providing a secondary geographic reference. The combination of these two reverse markers — one curvilinear, one punctate — creates a distinctive diagnostic fingerprint despite the absence of obverse confirmation points. Wide spread trail die effects on this variety result from the hub shifting laterally during die manufacture, producing a uniform secondary impression across the contact area that ghosts design elements in the direction of hub travel. MDS classification on both faces indicates moderate production wear without the severe deterioration that characterizes late-state dies. Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark) on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987 mintage of 4,682,466,931 cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is MDS – curved die scratch under the C of AMERICA. Small die gouge to the left of the T in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References