1983D-1DEO-003T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Identified by Michael Pope of Illinois, 1983D-1DEO-003T is the third cataloged trail die obverse variety on the 1983 Denver Lincoln Memorial cent, documented at Stage B in mid-die-state condition. The obverse carries two distinct die diagnostics: a small rim gouge positioned above the L of LIBERTY, and a die gouge to the right of the U in TRUST. These obverse-side markers are particularly valuable for trail die attribution because the trail die effect itself — a faint ghosting of design elements from incomplete hubbing — can be subtle enough to challenge identification, and the presence of specific die gouges provides confirmatory evidence that a given specimen originated from this particular die. The reverse is recorded at mid-die-state with no significant diagnostic markers, placing the focus of die pair identification squarely on the obverse features. Trail die varieties represent a category of minting error rooted in the die manufacturing process rather than the striking process, distinguishing them from doubled dies and repunched mintmarks. On the 1983-D cent's copper-plated zinc planchet, the trail die impression appears as a faint secondary image beneath or adjacent to the primary design, requiring careful examination under magnification. Attribution by Trail Dies.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – a small rim gouge can be seen above the L of LIBERTY. A die gouge can be seen to the right of the U in TRUST.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Pope of Illinois
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References