1988P-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Cataloged as the fourth trail die obverse for the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, 1988P-1DEO-004T presents an intriguing combination of a trail die variety with evidence of die clashing and subsequent clash removal on the reverse. The obverse in Stage A (early die state) shows no significant markers, placing the attribution burden on the trail impression itself and the reverse die characteristics. The reverse in late die state reveals very heavy die scratching across the entire surface — a pattern consistent with aggressive mechanical die polishing performed to remove clash marks. Despite this extensive abrasion, remnants of the original die clash remain visible in bays 3 and 8 of the Memorial, where the depth of the clash impression resisted complete removal. This preservation of clash evidence through polishing speaks to the severity of the original clashing event: the dies must have struck each other with considerable force to create impressions deep enough to survive the Mint's abrasion process. The coexistence of trail die characteristics on the obverse and clash-and-polish evidence on the reverse documents two separate manufacturing anomalies — one from the die shop (trail die) and one from the coining press (clash) — converging on a single die pair. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams at 19mm diameter.

Die Markers

• Stage “A”, obverse is EDS – none noted.
• Reverse is LDS- very heavy die scratching is seen on the entire reverse surface. This was preformed to remove a die clash, which can be seen still in bays 3 and 8.

External References