2006P-5DEO-001T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Tanaka Davis and documented in the Trail Dies catalog, the 2006P-5DEO-001T is a trail die obverse variety on a 2006 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel — notably a trail die affecting the obverse rather than the more commonly documented reverse trail dies. Die markers at Stage B identify the obverse at MDS with die dots visible below and between the E of WE and the first T of TRUST, and between the OD of GOD — small raised dots on the coin resulting from tiny pits or gouges in the die face that serve as fingerprint markers for this specific obverse die. The reverse at MDS shows another die dot between and below the C and E of MONTICELLO, extending the die marker inventory to Felix Schlag's architectural reverse design. Trail die obverse varieties (DEO in the catalog numbering) are classified separately from trail die reverse varieties (DER) in the Trail Dies system, with the 5DEO prefix identifying this as a nickel denomination obverse trail die — the first cataloged for the 2006 Philadelphia date. The 2006 Jefferson Nickel features Jamie Franki's redesigned forward-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and a return to the Monticello reverse, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. Davis's discovery of a trail die on the new forward-facing portrait design is particularly noteworthy because the 2006 obverse represented a fresh design entering production, and trail die events during a design's inaugural year can document the die manufacturing learning curve associated with producing an unfamiliar design.

Die Markers

• Stage “B “, obverse is MDS – die dots are seen below and in between the E of WE and the first T of TRUST and the OD of GOD.
• Reverse is MDS – another die dot is seen in between and below the C and E of MONTICELLO.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tanaka Davis
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References