1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-007

Description

A transitional reverse design occurs when the Mint inadvertently pairs a working die from one design generation with dies intended for another, and WTRD-007 documents exactly that scenario on the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent. In this case, a reverse die hubbed from the 1989-generation hub (designated RDV-007) was paired with a 1988-dated obverse die at the Denver Mint, creating a coin that carries the previous year's date with the following year's reverse design details. The obverse die for this specimen exhibits a scratch running above the Y in LIBERTY, two parallel scratches on the bust southwest of the mintmark, and a scratch extending from the head toward the ear. On the reverse, a scratch connects the N to the T in CENT. These die markers serve as definitive attribution points, distinguishing WTRD-007 from the other twelve transitional reverse varieties cataloged for the 1988-D date. Crawford cataloged this specimen as CTRD-005 in his independent numbering system, providing a cross-reference that links the Wexler and Crawford attributions. Identified by the Wexler Team, this variety was struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse: A die scratch runs from WSW to ENE above the Y in LIBERTY. Two short, not quite parallel die scratches can be found on the lower front of the bust WSW of the mint mark. A die scratch runs WSW from the back of the head to the left of the top of the ear. Reverse: A die scratch runs from the upper right N to the upper left T in CENT.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Billy G. Crawford Cross References: Crawford CTRD-005
• Crawford CTRD-005; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References