1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-005

Description

Cross-referenced as Crawford CTRD-004, WTRD-005 in the Wexler catalog presents a clearly defined set of die markers that distinguish this transitional reverse design from the other five documented TRD dies for the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent. The obverse carries a scratch below the second 8 in the date and a gouge at the rim between the T and R in TRUST, along with a scratch emanating from the U in TRUST. On the reverse — which bears the 1989 hub design (RDV-007) in place of the correct 1988 design (RDV-006) — a gouge appears in the first A in AMERICA and three scratches extend from the T in UNITED. These markers, concentrated in specific design elements, allow confident attribution of individual specimens to this particular die. The 1988-D transitional reverse design group collectively demonstrates that the Mint's die preparation procedures allowed multiple incorrect reverse dies to enter the production pipeline, producing a small but documentable population of coins bearing next year's reverse design. 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 short die scratch runs from NW to SE below the 2nd 8 in 1988. A vertical die gouge shows at the rim between T and R in TRUST. A die scratch runs to the rim from the top left side of U in TRUST. Reverse: A die gouge shows inside the lower first A in AMERICA. Three die scratches run to the rim from the top of T in UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joseph Koelling (Updated photos and markers on a coin from Charles Hudson) Cross References: Crawford: CTRD-004
• Crawford: CTRD-004; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References