2012P-1DEO-002T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Lynn Morace and cataloged by Trail Dies, the 2012P-1DEO-002T is a trail die obverse variety found on the Philadelphia-minted Lincoln Shield Cent. Trail die errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies make contact without a planchet present, transferring a ghost impression of one die's design onto the opposing die face, which then appears as a secondary image on subsequently struck coins. The Lincoln Shield Cent, introduced in 2010 with Lyndall Bass's Union Shield reverse design, is struck in copper-plated zinc at 2.50 grams and 19.05 mm diameter. Die markers for this variety document Stage B conditions: the obverse at Mid Die State displays strong die scratches throughout the western fields and through the letters of LIBERTY, providing visually dramatic authentication diagnostics. The reverse at MDS shows a crack on the shield edge above the letters PLURIBUS. The strong die scratches through the western fields and LIBERTY are particularly notable as they indicate significant die surface disturbance, possibly from an aggressive die polishing or resurfacing attempt during the die's working life. These obverse scratches, combined with the reverse shield-edge crack, create a distinctive fingerprint that makes this trail die pair readily identifiable to collectors familiar with the diagnostics.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – strong die scratches throughout the western fields, through LIBERTY (see pics)
• Reverse is MDS – crack on shield edge above PLURIBUS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lynn Morace
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References