1996P-1DER-041T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Found by Tim Sumrall, this Trail Dies-cataloged Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent features careful distinction between trail lines and die scratches by the cataloger. Die markers at Stage B: obverse at MDS with small die dots in the field in front of Lincoln's face; reverse at MDS with a small die scratch above the left side of U in UNITED and a heavy die scratch from the right side of T in CENT — explicitly noted as not to be confused with a trail line. This distinction is diagnostically important: trail lines arise from partial die contact during production, while die scratches come from surface abrasion during die manufacturing or maintenance. Struck in copper-plated zinc at 2.5 grams and 19.05 mm. The die dots on Lincoln's face field provide additional obverse attribution markers.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – small die dots are seen in the field in front of Lincoln’s face.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die scratch is seen above the left side of the U in UNITED. A heavy die scratch is seen from the right side of the T in CENT. This is not to be confused with a trail line.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tim Sumrall
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References