2012-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Among die-progression varieties catalogued for the 2012 Philadelphia Lincoln Shield cent, the Trail Die Obverse 1DEO-004T documents a die pair that reached Middle Die State (MDS) with cracking visible on both faces. The obverse shows a die crack from the bottom of the 0 in the date — a reliable anchor for attribution. On the reverse, cracks trace along the top edge of the shield, and a second crack enters the field from the shield top, indicating that both working faces deteriorated in tandem. Trail die obverse varieties form when a retiring die develops cracks that trail design elements into the field. The Lincoln Shield cent, struck on copper-plated zinc since 2010, provides a crisp canvas on which die-progression markers are particularly legible. Attribution should begin at the die crack extending from the base of the 0, then verify the shield cracks on the reverse to confirm die state. This die was discovered by Albert Niles Sr., whose documentation of trail die varieties has expanded the reference literature for modern Lincoln cents considerably.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a die crack is seen from the bottom of the 0 digit in the date.
• Reverse is MDS – die cracks run along the top edge of the shield. Another die crack is seen entering into the field from the top of the shield.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Albert Niles Sr
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References