1987P-1DER-013WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

At a 180-degree due-south offset, 1987P-1DER-013WS on the 1987 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent shows light trail lines under columns 5, 6, 7, and 8 — a more restrained manifestation than the heavy step deviation and stylobate extension seen on the neighboring 012WS variety. This die was found by Louis Schaeffer, who identified multiple trail dies across both the Denver and Philadelphia 1987 cent production. Stage B at late-to-mid die state documents the reverse with heavy horizontal scratching above EPU and below the Memorial base, accompanied by heavy vertical scratching visible in the bays between columns. No obverse die markers were specifically noted, concentrating the full diagnostic profile on the reverse. The contrast between light trail lines and heavy surface scratching on the same face illustrates an important distinction for attributors: trail effects originate during die manufacture and remain constant throughout a die's life, while scratches and surface damage accumulate during production — meaning the light trails were present from the die's first strike, but the heavy scratching developed progressively as the die aged. Bay scratching — vertical scoring within the recessed spaces between columns — is particularly diagnostic because the bays are sheltered design zones where surface damage reflects specific mechanical events rather than generalized wear. 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. Reverse is LMDS – heavy, horizontal die scratching is seen above the motto EPU and below the memorial building base. Heavy vertical die scratching is seen in the bays.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References