1987D-1DER-004T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Transitioning from the wide spread classification of the first three reverse trail dies to the tilted category, 1987D-1DER-004T on the 1987-D Lincoln Memorial cent documents a die where the hub contacted the die face at an angle during the secondary impression rather than shifting laterally across a broad plane. Tilted trail dies produce a qualitatively different distortion pattern than wide spread varieties: instead of uniform displacement across multiple design elements, tilting concentrates the trail effect along an arc radiating from the tilt axis, creating stronger distortion on one side of the die and weaker effects on the other. No specific offset degree is recorded for this variety, which means attribution relies primarily on the die markers rather than trail geometry. Stage C at late die state provides diagnostic features on both faces: a light die scratch passes through the E of WE on the obverse, while a die gouge marks the right lower side of column 12 on the reverse. Column 12 — the outermost column on the right side of the Memorial facade — occupies a position near the rim where die stress concentrations are elevated, making it a common location for late die state surface damage. The obverse scratch through the E of WE offers a quick screening test before detailed reverse examination. 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 – light die scratch through the E of WE.
• Reverse is LDS – small die gouge on the right lower side of column # 12.

External References