1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-001

Description

Designated WTRD-001 by the Wexler team and cross-referenced as Crawford CTRD-007 and CONECA Die #1, this 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent was struck with the 1989 reverse hub (RDV-007) rather than the correct 1988 reverse hub (RDV-006). A transitional reverse design occurs when the Mint inadvertently uses a hub from the following year's design to prepare working dies for the current year, producing coins that carry a reverse intended for the next production cycle. The difference between RDV-006 and RDV-007 is subtle but diagnostic, centering on the positioning and spacing of the designer's initials FG on the reverse — changes introduced as part of the normal hub refinement process between annual production years. Obverse die markers include a gouge southwest of the I in IN, while the reverse shows a gouge between the S and T in STATES and three scratches between the A and T in STATES. The mismatched Crawford and Wexler numbering — WTRD-001 corresponding to CTRD-007 — reflects the independent cataloging sequences maintained by different attribution services. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steven Bingham Cross References: Crawford: CTRD-007, CONECA: Die #1
• Crawford: CTRD-007, CONECA: Die #1; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References