1992D-1DER-013T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Late die state progression tells a story of sustained use, and 1992D-1DER-013T — found by Bill Slaughter of Arkansas and documented at Stage D in a Very Late Die State (VLDS) — preserves evidence of a die pair that the Denver Mint kept in service deep into its deterioration curve. Small die gouges cluster around the date and mint mark area on the obverse, the accumulated surface damage typical of a VLDS die that has absorbed millions of strikes. The reverse, classified at Late Die State, shows its own distinctive marker: a pair of die dots embedded in the N of UNITED, a feature specific enough to serve as a reliable attribution anchor among the eighteen 1992-D trail die varieties. The paired die dots in the N create a pattern unlike the single gouges or scratches that mark most other dies in this census — their paired nature and specific letter placement make them quickly identifiable under moderate magnification. Die state asymmetry between the obverse (VLDS) and reverse (LDS) is common and reflects the independent wear histories of two dies that were manufactured separately and installed as a pair, each deteriorating at its own rate based on its individual metallurgical properties and the specific stresses each face absorbed during striking. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Die Markers

• Stage “D “, obverse is VLDS – small die gouges are seen in and around the date and mint mark.
• Reverse is LDS – a pair of die dots are seen in the N of UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Slaughter
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References