2011P-1DEO-001T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Louis Schaeffer, this Lincoln Shield Cent trail die obverse variety shows light trails from the tops of the date digits, with the offset direction at 350 degrees. At Stage B with both sides at mid-die-state, the obverse carries diagonal die scratches through the bow tie, a die crack on the forehead, and a small gouge southwest of the second T of TRUST. The reverse shows gouges on both sides of the T in CENT and a small gouge on the rightmost shield stripe. The 350-degree trail offset creates a nearly vertical northward displacement of the design traces, producing faint ghost-like impressions above the date numerals. The bow-tie scratches and forehead crack on the obverse provide quick sorting criteria, while the paired T gouges in CENT on the reverse offer independent confirmation. The variety demonstrates how trail die effects on Shield Cents interact with the more detailed obverse portrait elements.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References