1987D-1DER-002WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Sharing the 180-degree due-south offset common to wide spread reverse trail dies, 1987D-1DER-002WS on the 1987-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents a subtler manifestation than its census neighbor 001WS. Where 001WS shows fluting under three columns and moderate step deviation, this variety confines its visible trail effects to light fluting under column 3 and light step deviation across columns 5 through 8. The reduced intensity suggests either a smaller magnitude of hub shift during the secondary impression or a die that saw less subsequent wear to accentuate the trail features. Step deviation in the columns 5-8 zone — the central entrance area of the Memorial — remains the most reliable diagnostic for wide spread reverse trail dies at this offset angle, since the steps occupy a horizontal design element that reveals even minor vertical displacement. Stage C in late die state is confirmed, with no die markers noted on the obverse — an absence that makes the reverse markers critical for attribution. On the reverse, a die gouge positioned between the E and N of CENT near the rim provides the primary diagnostic landmark. Its proximity to the rim helps distinguish this die from 001WS, whose reverse marker sits under the middle arm of E in CENT at a different location. 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