1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-004

Description

Also submitted by Joseph Koelling — this time from Charles Hudson — WTRD-004 is the fourth transitional reverse design cataloged by the Wexler team for the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent, cross-referenced as Crawford CTRD-003. The die markers for this variety overlap partially with those of WTRD-003, a pattern that arises from the Wexler catalog's structure where shared descriptive sections cover markers common to the reverse hub design itself rather than to individual dies. Despite the textual overlap, WTRD-004 originates from a distinct working die, identifiable through its unique combination of supplementary die markers that differ from those on WTRD-003. The existence of at least six documented TRD dies for the 1988-D date indicates that the accidental use of the 1989 reverse hub was not an isolated incident but affected multiple working dies, suggesting a systemic mix-up in the die shop during the transition period between production years. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse: A short die scratch runs from NW to SE below the 2nd 8 in 1988. A vertical die gouge shows at the rim between T and R in TRUST. A die scratch runs to the rim from the top left side of U in TRUST. Reverse: A die gouge shows inside the lower first A in AMERICA. Three die scratches run to the rim from the top of T in UNITED. Submitted By: Joseph Koelling (Updated photos and markers on a coin from Charles Hudson) Cross References: Crawford: CTRD-004 Obverse: A series of die gouges show above the D in GOD. A die gouge shows left of the upper D in GOD. Die gouges show to the right of the upper second T in TRUST. A diagonal die scratch shows to the southeast of Lincoln’s eye. A series of light diagonal die scratches show below Lincoln’s ear. A short die scratch extends east from Lincoln’s upper lip. Reverse: A short, vertical die scratch shows between the lower I and T in UNITED. Two die scratches run to the rim from the upper E in UNITED. A possible small die gouge (dot) shows inside the upper opening of the E in UNITED. A die scratch runs to the rim from the top left M in AMERICA. A die gouge shows below the lower right opening of M in AMERICA. A vertical die gouge shows to the left of the upper last A in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joseph Koelling (Updated photos and markers on a coin from John Shields) Cross References: Crawford: CTRD-003
• Crawford: CTRD-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References