1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-002

Description

The second transitional reverse design cataloged by the Wexler team for the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent, WTRD-002 is cross-referenced as Crawford CTRD-001 — making it the first variety in Crawford's independent TRD numbering sequence while being the second in Wexler's. This discrepancy in catalog ordering illustrates how different attribution services discover and number varieties on their own timelines. Like all 1988-D TRD varieties, this coin bears the 1989 reverse hub (RDV-007) paired with a 1988-dated obverse, the result of the Mint accidentally using next year's reverse hub during die preparation. The RDV-007 hub introduced subtle modifications to the FG designer's initials on the reverse — changes in positioning and spacing that, while minor, are consistently diagnostic under magnification. Transitional reverse designs are genuine minting errors that document the die preparation procedures at the U.S. Mint, where multiple hub vintages could coexist in the die shop during the overlap period between production years. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse: A small die gouge (dot) can be found between the I and N of IN. A vertical die scratch can be found to the left of the lower back of the head. Reverse: A small die gouge can be found to the left of the top of the N in UNITED. A die gouge can be found near the rim below the left vertical leg of the N in ONE. A small die gouge (dot) can be found to the left of the top of the F in the designer’s initials.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joseph Koelling Cross References: Crawford: CTRD-001
• Crawford: CTRD-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References