1953PR-5DEO-002T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Robert M. Pelletier, this proof Jefferson Nickel trail die obverse from 1953 documents an abnormal die used during proof production at the Philadelphia Mint. Trail dies are experimental or test dies that exhibit characteristics differing from the standard production dies, and their presence in the proof series adds particular numismatic significance. At the mid-die state, diagnostic markers include upper split serifs on the ST of TRUST and a die gouge visible in the semi-circular window area of the design. Trail die varieties are among the more esoteric categories of die errors, as they require detailed comparison against standard die characteristics to identify departures from normal production parameters. The 1953 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck as part of the annual proof set, produced exclusively at Philadelphia using specially prepared dies and polished planchets struck multiple times to achieve the mirror-like fields and frosted devices that characterize proof coinage. The split serifs on TRUST provide a consistent attribution marker that distinguishes this trail die from standard proof dies used for the 1953 date.

Die Markers

• Stage ““, obverse is MDS – the ST of TRUST has upper split serifs.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen in the semi-circular window above Monticello’s door.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert M
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References