1993D-1DER-015T Trail Die Reverse

Description

At 040 degrees — roughly northeast — the offset direction on the 015T diverges sharply from the 180- to 200-degree bearings dominating most trail dies in this census. That unusual angle produces a T-suffix variety: instead of wavy steps in the stylobate, the lateral displacement generates tilted trail lines emanating from raised design elements. Light trails extend from PLURIBUS and UNUM, with additional trail lines on the tops of columns 5 and 6 and along the cornice. Trail lines form when a die shifts at an angle that drags raised lettering or architectural detail across the die surface between impressions, leaving fine parallel streaks aligned with the offset direction. An old die scrape through the T of CENT — a pre-existing surface mark from die manufacture — anchors reverse attribution, supplemented by a die scratch in the lower part of bay 9 and light horizontal scratches in bays 10 and 11. The obverse carries no observed markers. Cataloged at Stage C mid-die-state. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

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