1988-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-008

Description

Richly marked across both sides, WTRD-008 on the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents one of the most die-marker-dense transitional reverse varieties in the series. The obverse carries a scratch extending from the B in LIBERTY, parallel scratches from the L, a scratch from the N in IN, a scratch from the O in GOD, and a scratch from Lincoln's vest — an unusually comprehensive constellation of die imperfections that makes attribution straightforward even on well-circulated specimens. The reverse is equally distinctive: a scratch appears above the F in OF, another above the M in AMERICA, a gouge sits within the E of CENT, and a scratch runs between the N and E of ONE. Transitional reverse designs on the 1988-D cent result from Denver receiving working dies hubbed with the RDV-007 reverse master intended for 1989 production. Because hub-to-die impressions were applied in a controlled environment, the transitional hub identity is a manufacturing-origin characteristic rather than a striking error — the die itself was correctly made from the wrong hub generation. The abundance of die markers on WTRD-008 suggests this die saw significant service life, accumulating handling and press-contact imperfections over its production run. Attributed by the Wexler Team and struck on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse: A die scratch runs from SSW from the bottom left of the B in LIBERTY. Two parallel die scratches run NNE from the bottom of the L in LIBERTY. A short die scratch runs north from the top left of the N of IN. A short, vertical die scratch can be found to the right of the top of the O in GOD. A short die scratch runs NNW from the front of the vest SW of the 1 in the date. Reverse: A die scratch runs from SSE to NNW above the F in OF. A short, nearly vertical die scratch can be found above the M in AMERICA. A small die gouge (dot) can be found inside the lower E of CENT. A short, vertical die scratch can be found between the lower N and E of ONE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Wayne Perry Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1988-D 1¢ WTRD-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References