2007P-1DER-004T Trail Die Reverse

Description

A faint ghost impression from a previously struck coin, retained on the die surface and transferred to subsequent strikes, defines the trail die phenomenon documented on this 2007 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent. Unlike doubled dies created during the hubbing process, trail dies originate from the striking sequence itself, when the impression a finished coin leaves on the die is strong enough to persist and mark the next planchet fed into the press. The result is a subtle, slightly displaced secondary image that appears ghostlike against the primary design struck at full pressure. This variety was documented in Stage C with both obverse and reverse in Late Die State. Obverse die markers include a die gouge below the date, while the reverse carries a die gouge below the right base's tip. The Late Die State observation indicates this trail die impression persisted deep into the die pair's production life, surviving alongside the progressive die wear that characterizes late-stage usage. Attributed by Trail Dies as the fourth cataloged trail die reverse for 2007 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial Cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “C”, obverse is LDS – die gouge below the date.
• Reverse is LDS – die gouge below right base’s tip.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References