2010D-1DER-003T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Albert Neils, the 2010D-1DER-003T is a trail die reverse variety on the Denver Mint Lincoln Shield cent, which debuted in 2010 as the permanent replacement for the Lincoln Memorial reverse used from 1959 through 2008. Lyndall Bass's shield design provides a bold geometric surface where progressive die deterioration creates attributable trail features. This variety is documented at Stage B with both sides at mid-die state. The obverse carries a small die dot in the upper loop of the B in LIBERTY as its primary pickup marker, a precise diagnostic for identifying this specific working die. No significant reverse markers have been noted beyond the trail die characteristic itself. Trail dies develop as microscopic cracks or wear channels form in the die surface, transferring faint raised lines to the coins struck from that die. Cataloged by the Trail Dies attribution service, this variety represents one of the early trail die attributions on the Shield cent design. Collectors transitioning from Memorial cent varieties to the Shield cent will find that the new reverse's strong linear elements offer different surfaces for die deterioration to affect.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a small die dot is seen in the upper loop of the B in LIBERTY.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted

Attribution History

• Discovered by Albert Neils
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References