1988 Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-004

Description

Documented in two die stages and cross-referenced as both CONECA Die #4 and Crawford CTRD-003, WTRD-004 on the 1988 Lincoln Memorial cent is one of the more heavily marked transitional reverse varieties, with a rich progression of die markers that evolved between stages. In Stage A, the obverse carries a scratch from the L in LIBERTY, a scratch from the top of L to I, a scratch from R to the U in TRUST, parallel scratches from the lower back of the head, and parallel scratches from the bowtie. By Stage B, the bowtie scratches remain visible but the other Stage A markers have been abraded away — evidence that the die underwent maintenance polishing to extend its service life — while new markers emerge: a long scratch through the E in LIBERTY, a scratch between the W and E of WE, a scratch from the center of Lincoln's nose, and scratches above TY. This marker evolution between stages provides a textbook example of how die polishing selectively removes shallow imperfections while deeper features survive, creating a palimpsest of old and new markers that tracks the die's production history. The reverse carries consistent markers across both stages: parallel scratches to the right of the T in CENT, a scratch below the designer's initials, scratches from F in OF to A and from I in AMERICA, and scratches from the rim above A of AMERICA. Attributed by the Wexler Team, struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse Stage A: A die scratch runs SE from the bottom of the L in LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from the top of the L SE to the I of LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from the top of the R SE to the U of TRUST. Parallel die scratches extend NW from the lower back of Lincoln’s head. Parallel die scratches extend ESE from Lincoln’s bowtie. Obverse Stage B: The parallel die scratches ESE from the bowtie are still visible while other Stage A die markers have been abraded away. A long die scratch runs from SSW to NNE through the right side of the E in LIBERTY. A die scratch runs from SW to NE between the lower W and E of WE. A die scratch runs NNW from the center of the nose. Several die scratches run either NNW or NNE above the TY in LIBERTY. Reverse Stage A: Parallel die scratches run NNW to SSE to the right of the T of CENT and one to the left of the T of CENT. A die scratch runs SE below the designer’s initials. A die scratch runs east from the top of the F in OF to the 1st A in AMERICA. A die scratch extends SW from the lower left I in AMERICA. Several short die scratches extend WSW from the rim above the 1st A in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• CONECA Die #4, Crawford: CTRD-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WTRD-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References