1992P-1DER-004T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Carrying the T suffix for tilted trails rather than the WS wavy steps designation, 1992P-1DER-004T documents a different trail die mechanism on a 1992 Philadelphia Lincoln cent — one where the displacement produced angled trail lines rather than the step deviation and fluting characteristic of WS varieties. Found by Jeremy Gardner, this die was cataloged at Stage B in a Mid Die State (MDS). The obverse die markers include two small die gouges positioned on either side of the left leg of the R in LIBERTY, plus additional gouges near the I in UNITED on the reverse. The reverse carries a small die gouge on the right side. These positional markers, while requiring careful magnification to locate, serve as the primary attribution fingerprint for this variety. Tilted trail dies form when the secondary hub impression contacts the working die at a slight angle relative to the primary impression, depositing displaced design material along diagonal vectors rather than the near-vertical or near-horizontal paths typical of standard step deviation. The mechanical distinction between T and WS varieties reflects different failure modes in the hubbing press: WS varieties suggest translational displacement, while T varieties imply an angular or rotational component to the misalignment. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – two small die gouges are seen on either side of the left leg of the R in LIBERTY of the I in UNITED.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen on the right side

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jeremy Gardner
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References