1991D-1DER-001T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Bill Slaughter, this Stage A trail die reverse on the 1991-D Lincoln Memorial cent captures a compelling production narrative: the obverse die had reached a Very Late Die State (VLDS) while the reverse die was still in Early Die State (EDS), revealing that the reverse die was changed mid-production while the worn obverse die continued in service. This pairing of a deteriorated obverse with a fresh reverse provides direct physical evidence of the Mint's die replacement practices — rather than retiring both dies simultaneously, the still-functional (if heavily worn) obverse die was kept in the press and paired with a new reverse. Die markers on the obverse include a gouge extending from the R in LIBERTY and two gouges positioned around the 1 digit of the date, consistent with the advanced wear state. On the reverse, a light die scratch appears at the left cornice/roof corner of the Memorial, establishing the early-life condition of the replacement die. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Die Markers

• Stage “A”, obverse is VLDS – die gouge from the bottom left leg of the R in LIBERTY. Two die gouges around the 1 digit of the date.
• Reverse is EDS – light die scratch in the corner formed by the left cornice edge and the roof of the Memorial building.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Slaughter
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References