2013P-1DEO-006T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Cataloged by Trail Dies as 2013P-1DEO-006T and discovered by Joe Koelling, this Lincoln Shield Cent trail die obverse displays residual design impressions on the obverse face resulting from incomplete die preparation. Trail die varieties occur when faint, ghost-like images from a previous die pairing or die manufacturing step remain visible on the working die surface, transferring to every coin struck from that die. This specimen is documented at Stage "B" in MDS (Mid Die State) with a distinctive obverse die marker: a large die crack running from Lincoln's brow into his hairline, creating a prominent raised line across the upper portion of the portrait. The reverse is also in MDS with no noted markers, concentrating the diagnostic features on the obverse. The large die crack from brow to hairline serves as both an attribution aid and a die-state indicator — as die cracks are progressive deterioration features, their presence and size help establish when in the die's service life a particular coin was struck. The Lincoln Shield Cent was introduced in 2010, combining Victor David Brenner's iconic 1909 Lincoln portrait on the obverse with Lyndall Bass's Union Shield reverse. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc core with 2.5% copper plating), the coin weighs 2.5 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Joe Koelling's discovery of this variety reflects the ongoing contribution of individual collectors to the documentation of U.S. mint varieties — many trail die varieties are initially identified by sharp-eyed hobbyists examining coins from bank rolls, mint sets, or circulation finds. The brow-to-hairline die crack provides an excellent screening diagnostic: collectors can quickly identify potential specimens by the crack's presence before undertaking the more detailed examination needed to confirm the trail die features under magnification.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a large die crack is seen from Lincoln’s brow into his hairline.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joe Koelling
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References