1988P-1DEO-010T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Completing the catalog of trail die obverses for the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, 1988P-1DEO-010T was found by Joe Koelling and represents the tenth and final documented tilted trail die obverse for this date. Unlike many of the earlier entries examined in early die state, this specimen is documented in Stage B at mid-die state, where the die has accumulated enough service life to develop progressive features. The obverse in mid-die state shows a die crack between the I and N of IN — a stress fracture radiating through the die steel that indicates significant production use. On the reverse, also at mid-die state, a small die gouge appears inside the U in UNITED. Die cracks on the obverse of Lincoln cents commonly develop in the lettering fields of IN GOD WE TRUST, where the incised letters in the die create stress concentration points that propagate cracks under repeated striking pressure. The mid-die state documentation of 1DEO-010T complements the predominantly early-die-state records of the preceding nine trail die obverses, providing collectors with attribution data applicable to later-struck examples from this die that would show the characteristic crack between I and N. Ten trail die obverses for a single date and mint represents a substantial count, reflecting both Philadelphia's massive 1988 cent production and the dedicated search efforts of variety specialists. Struck on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a die crack is seen between the I and N of IN.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen on the inside of the U in UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joe Koelling
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References