1987P-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Documented without a specific offset degree or trail description, 1987P-1DEO-004T on the 1987 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent relies entirely on its die marker constellation for attribution — a situation that underscores the critical role of die stage documentation in the trail die cataloging system. When trail effects are subtle or were not described in detail at the time of initial listing, the die markers become the primary identification tool rather than a secondary confirmation. Stage B at mid-die state provides markers on both faces: a die gouge next to the rim to the left of VDB on the obverse places a diagnostic in the area adjacent to Victor David Brenner's initials, the designer's tiny monogram at the base of Lincoln's shoulder truncation. On the reverse, two die dots appear in the O of ONE and on the inner left leg of the N in ONE — both targeting the word ONE, which creates a concentrated diagnostic zone where two independent markers sit within adjacent letters. Die dots are typically small metallic particles or debris that adhere to the die face or lodge in its recesses, transferring as tiny raised bumps on struck coins. Their positions within specific letters provide the micro-geographic precision needed to separate this die from others in the census. Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark) on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987 mintage of 4,682,466,931 cents.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – small die gouge next to the rim and to the left of VDB.
• Reverse is MDS – small die dot in the O of ONE. Die dot on the inner left leg of the N in ONE.

External References