1991P-1DER-001WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Opening the five-variety trail die sequence for the 1991 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, 1991P-1DER-001WS documents a Stage C Late Die State (LDS) specimen showing the accumulated wear and deterioration markers of extended production use. The obverse die carries a gouge under the E of LIBERTY, placing a distinctive mark in the motto area. On the reverse, two die cracks trace paths through the Memorial and legend: one extends from the left cornice through the N in UNITED to the rim, while a second runs from the left Memorial roof corner to the D in UNITED. These diverging cracks — both originating from the high-stress cornice/roof area but traveling to different inscription letters — document the progressive structural failure of the reverse die under repeated striking pressure. The Late Die State designation means this coin was produced near the end of the die's useful life, when accumulated stress fractures had weakened the die surface enough to produce visible crack lines on struck coins. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Die Markers

• Stage “C”, obverse is LDS – small die gouge under the E of LIBERTY
• Reverse is LDS – die crack from left cornice tip to the N in UNITED and into the rim. Die crack from the left corner of the Memorial’s roof up to the D in UNITED.

External References