1989D-1DER-002WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Notable for documenting a known production phenomenon, the 1989D-1DER-002WS trail die reverse shows moderate fluting extending into the stylobate under column 3 along with moderate step deviation under columns 5 through 8 of the Lincoln Memorial. The variety's published notes include an important observation about the "warping of the stairs typical of the years 1989 through 1992" — a recognized phenomenon in Memorial cent production where the staircase elements exhibit a characteristic distortion pattern specific to this four-year window, likely related to changes in hub preparation or die steel properties during that period. The WS (Wide Spread/Wavy Steps) designation reflects both the spread between primary and secondary hub impressions and the staircase warping effect. Classified at Stage B, mid-die state (MDS), the obverse carries a die chip on Lincoln's button hole — a small but precisely located marker. The reverse shows a gouge on the I in UNITED. The 1989-1992 staircase warping phenomenon makes trail die varieties from these years of particular interest to researchers studying systematic changes in the Mint's die production methods. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Reverse is MDS – small die gouge on the right side of the I in UNITED.

External References