1993D-1DER-020 Trail Die Reverse

Description

Jimmy Ehrhart's second discovery in the 1993-D census carries no suffix — like the 005, it represents a plain-designation trail die where the lateral displacement was too subtle to warrant the WS or T classification. Plain-suffix trail dies sit at the threshold of detection: the die experienced enough lateral movement between strikes to leave a detectable but minimal signature in the reverse design, insufficient to produce the wavy steps or tilted trails that define the more pronounced categories. For the collector, plain varieties test both patience and optics, demanding careful examination of the Memorial's stepped base under at least 10x magnification to confirm the slight irregularity that separates a trail die from normal strike variation. The obverse carries a die gouge under the L of LIBERTY, and the reverse shows a die gouge in the stylobate under column 2. Both markers are straightforward to locate and confirm, compensating for the difficulty of spotting the trail die effect itself. Cataloged at Stage C late die state, this die had seen extensive service. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Die Markers

• Stage “C”, obverse is LDS – die gouge under the L of LIBERTY.
• Reverse is LDS – Die gouge in the stylobate under column 2.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jimmy Ehrhart
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References