1987D-1DEO-002T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Documented at Stage C in late die state, 1987D-1DEO-002T on the 1987-D Lincoln Memorial cent carries obverse die damage located between the 9 and 8 of the date and extending above and to the right of the mint mark — surface irregularities on the die that transfer as corresponding raised anomalies on every coin struck from it. Die damage in the date area is particularly useful for attribution because the digits and mint mark occupy a well-defined region where any deviation from the standard design is immediately apparent under magnification. The specific location between the 9 and 8, combined with the extension toward the mint mark, creates a distinctive geographic fingerprint that separates this die from any other in the 1987-D trail die census. Trail die effects on the obverse compound this die damage with the progressive metal flow distortion that develops as a die ages, adding directional ridging to the already-irregular surface. The reverse is also noted at late die state with no specific die markers recorded, indicating the reverse die, while worn, did not develop the distinctive surface features needed for independent marker documentation. Two trail die obverse varieties cataloged for 1987-D reflects the expected output from Denver's production that year, as only a fraction of dies that reach late die state develop trail effects pronounced enough to warrant formal cataloging. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987-D mintage of 4,007,632,740 cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “C”, obverse is LDS – die damage is seen between the 9 and 8 of the date and above and to the right of the mint mark.
• Reverse is LDS – none noted.

External References