1988 Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-007

Description

Closing the Wexler catalog of Philadelphia-struck transitional reverse designs for the 1988 Lincoln Memorial cent, WTRD-007 carries a reverse die hubbed from the 1989-generation RDV-007 master along with die markers that distinguish it from the six previously cataloged varieties. The obverse exhibits two die gouges on the lower right bust southwest of the date and die pitting on the bottom right corner of the bust — pitting that may indicate either die fatigue or surface contamination during die manufacture. On the reverse, a die gouge appears to the right of the upper R in AMERICA, a small gouge sits to the right of the upper eleventh Memorial column, and two short vertical scratches appear between the N and T of CENT. Seven Philadelphia transitional reverse varieties represent a significant count, though fewer than the thirteen documented for Denver on the same date, suggesting either that fewer wrong-generation reverse dies reached Philadelphia or that the error was caught sooner at the original mint facility. Each variety in the WTRD sequence represents a physically distinct reverse die, confirmed through unique marker profiles that accumulated during die manufacture, handling, and installation. Attributed by the Wexler Team and struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams at 19mm diameter. Two short, nearly vertical die scratches can be found between the N and T of CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charles D. Hudson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WTRD-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References