2009P(DC)-25DEO-003T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Documented in the Trail Dies catalog and discovered by Steven Bernatowics, the 2009P(DC)-25DEO-003T is a trail die obverse variety found on the 2009 Philadelphia Mint District of Columbia Quarter from the DC and US Territories Quarters series. Die marker documentation identifies Stage C at late die state (LDS), with obverse markers including a die dot below the E of LIBERTY, a small die gouge below the S of STATES, and another small die gouge below the A of AMERICA. The reverse in LDS shows no noted markers. The late die state designation indicates this die had experienced significant production wear by the time these specimens were struck, meaning the trail line features may be partially obscured by die deterioration effects, and earlier die state specimens — if they exist — could potentially reveal the trail features more clearly. The DC Quarter is part of the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarter Program of 2009, which followed the 50 State Quarters Program (1999–2008). The DC Quarter’s reverse, designed by Don Everhart, features Duke Ellington seated at a piano, honoring the legendary jazz musician and Washington, D.C. native. Struck in copper-nickel clad composition (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter, the obverse features John Flanagan’s Washington portrait. Trail die varieties on the Territories Quarters are collected as a specialty subset, with each unique territorial reverse design offering different visual results when the trail effect interacts with the state-specific design elements. The multiple die gouges below the obverse lettering at Stage C serve as reliable attribution markers even on well-circulated specimens where other fine details may have softened.

Die Markers

• Stage "C", obverse is LDS – a die dot is seen below the E of LIBERTY. A small die gouge is seen below the S of STATES. Another small die gouge is seen below the A of AMERICA.
• Reverse is LDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steven Bernatowics
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References