1992P-1DER-003WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Patrick Gaughan of Penn. discovered 1992P-1DER-003WS, a trail die reverse on a 1992 Philadelphia Lincoln cent showing light step deviation beneath columns five through eight with emphasis on the left side, oriented at a 180-degree (due south) offset. An intriguing aspect of this variety is the asymmetry in die states between the two faces: the obverse is classified as Very Late Die State (VLDS) with no notable markers remaining, while the reverse sits at a Mid Die State (MDS) with a die dot on top of the D in UNITED and another at the lower left side of column one. This mismatch indicates the obverse die had been in service far longer than the reverse die — the Mint frequently paired fresh dies with worn ones to extend overall die life, and the result here is a coin where the obverse die has deteriorated past the point of retaining diagnostic surface features while the reverse die still preserves clear markers. The VLDS obverse classification means collectors relying on obverse die markers for attribution will find nothing definitive, shifting the identification burden entirely to the reverse die markers and the trail die phenomena themselves. Documented at Stage B, this variety rewards careful reverse-first examination. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Patrick Gaughan
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References