1993P-1DER-032WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Among the most comprehensively documented trail die entries for 1993, 1993P-1DER-032WS is notable for recording two distinct die stages with an obverse die change between them — a progression that reveals how the Philadelphia Mint managed its die inventory. In Stage B, the obverse die is classified as very late die state (VLDS), showing advanced wear including a ring of die gouges below the letters BE of LIBERTY and a small die gouge to the left of the date. The reverse die at this stage is in mid-die state (MDS) with no notable markers. Stage C documents what happened next: the worn-out obverse die was replaced with a fresh one, classified as late early die state (LEDS) — meaning the replacement die was essentially new, with only minimal use. This fresh obverse shows a small triangular die gouge near the rim as its identifying marker. Meanwhile, the same reverse die continued in service but had progressed to late die state (LDS), developing a die crack through the lower portions of bays 6, 7, and 8 of the Memorial building. Billy Crawford discovered the Stage C die pairing. The documentation of an obverse die change within a single trail die reverse entry provides a window into Mint production logistics: reverse dies, being the more expensive anvil dies, were typically used longer than obverse hammer dies, meaning a single reverse die might be paired with several successive obverse dies during its service life.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is VLDS – a ring of die gouge below the BE of LIBERTY. A small die gouge Is seen to the left of the DATE.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.
• Stage “C”, obverse is LEDS – obverse die has been changed. Small triangular shaped die gouge is seen next to the rim.
• Reverse is LDS – a die crack is seen in the lower parts of bays 6, 7 and 8.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Billy Crawford
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References