1989D-1DER-003WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Steven Bingham of Missouri, the 1989D-1DER-003WS trail die reverse displays moderate step deviation under columns 5 through 9 of the Lincoln Memorial — a wider span of affected columns than the 001WS variety, suggesting the secondary hub impression was offset at an angle that impacted a broader swath of the staircase area. The WS (Wide Spread/Wavy Steps) suffix confirms that the trail impression created both measurable separation from the primary design and the characteristic wavy distortion in the Memorial steps. Classified at Stage C in late die state (LDS), this specimen represents a die that had been in service long enough for significant wear to accumulate alongside the trail die features. The reverse carries two small die gouges positioned between the A and T of STATES — paired markers whose close proximity to each other provides a reliable attribution reference point. Trail die varieties are created during the hubbing process when the hub and working die are not perfectly aligned or when the die is not fully sunk in a single impression, leaving residual design traces that appear as faint secondary images on the finished coins. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steven Bingham
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References