1989P-1DER-001WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Opening the Philadelphia Mint trail die reverse catalog for 1989, the 1989P-1DER-001WS displays strong fluting extending into the stylobate under columns 2 and 3, light fluting under columns 11 and 12, and moderate-to-strong step deviation under columns 5 through 9 of the Lincoln Memorial. The WS (Wide Spread/Wavy Steps) designation reflects both the measurable separation between primary and secondary hub impressions and the characteristic wavy distortion visible in the Memorial staircase. The trail offset is measured at 200 degrees, placing the secondary impression in the lower-left quadrant. Classified at Stage B, mid-die state (MDS), the obverse carries three older die gouges on Lincoln's shoulder — markers whose "older" characterization in the attribution record suggests they were present early in the die's life, possibly inherited from a previous hubbing operation or die preparation step. The distribution of fluting across both the left side (columns 2-3) and right side (columns 11-12) of the Memorial, with step deviation concentrated in the center (columns 5-9), maps the geometry of the hub displacement across the full width of the architectural design. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Reverse is MDS – light die scratch in the lower part of bay 3.

External References