1987D-1DER-001WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Opening the 1987-D reverse trail die census, 1987D-1DER-001WS exhibits the wide spread classification that characterizes trail dies where the hub shifted laterally across a broad arc rather than tilting on a single contact point. At 180 degrees, the offset direction is due south — the hub shifted downward relative to the die face during the secondary impression, creating trail effects that project southward from the affected design elements. The Lincoln Memorial building's columned facade serves as an ideal diagnostic surface for reverse trail effects, and this variety delivers on multiple architectural markers: light fluting appears under columns 2 and 10, moderate fluting develops under column 11, and moderate step deviation spans columns 5 through 8. Column fluting — the appearance of shallow vertical grooves on or below the column shafts — results from the secondary hub impression ghosting the column elements downward, while step deviation documents the displacement of the Memorial's entrance steps from their standard position. Stage C in late die state carries a rich set of die markers: two small die dots sit under the mint mark on the obverse, providing a quick attribution shortcut, while a die gouge appears under the middle arm of the E in CENT on the reverse. 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.

External References