1955PR-5DER-001T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Robert M. Pelletier, this trail die reverse variety appears on the 1955 Proof Jefferson Nickel — one of just 378,200 proof nickels struck at Philadelphia that year. Trail dies result from a die bouncing or dragging slightly across the planchet surface during the striking process, leaving a faint secondary impression offset from the primary design. Die state is recorded at Stage "B" with the obverse at MDS (mid-die-state) and no notable markers; the reverse is likewise MDS with none noted. The proof designation makes this variety particularly unusual, as the controlled, slow-speed proof striking process at the Philadelphia facility was designed to minimize exactly this type of mechanical error. That a trail die impression survived quality control on a proof issue speaks to either a momentary mechanical malfunction or an early-run occurrence before operators identified the problem. Cataloged by Trail Dies for the Jefferson Nickels Original Design series spanning 1938 through 2003.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert M
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References