1989P-1DER-002WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Tracked across two die stages with distinct diagnostic profiles, the 1989P-1DER-002WS trail die reverse documents the evolution of a working die from its earlier production state through advancing deterioration. Stage A was found by Louis Schaeffer, establishing the initial documentation for this variety. Stage B reveals significant die deterioration: a circular die break has developed on the right base of the Memorial, and a second break appears on the right cornice — two structural failures in the die steel that mark the transition from a serviceable die to one approaching the end of its useful life. A die dot in lower bay 1 provides a fixed reference marker present across both stages. The circular die break on the right base is a particularly distinctive marker, as circular breaks — where the die steel fractures in a roughly rounded pattern rather than along a linear crack — are less common than straight die cracks and produce recognizable raised features on struck coins. The progression from Stage A (Schaeffer's discovery specimens) to Stage B (with developing breaks) captures the mechanical fatigue that accumulated over this die's production run. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Die Markers

• Stage “A”, Obverse is EDS – none noted
• Reverse is EDS – a small die dot is seen in the lower part of bay 1
• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – none noted
• Reverse is MDS – circular die break on the right base of Memorial building. Die break on the right cornice edge.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References