1988 Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-002

Description

The most extensively documented transitional reverse variety for the 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, WTRD-002 spans three die stages and credits two submitters — Charles Hudson for Stage A and William Slaughter for Stage B — reflecting the collaborative nature of variety attribution research. Cross-referenced as CONECA Die #1, this specimen shows compelling evidence of die clashing alongside its transitional reverse identity. In Stage A, the obverse carries a die clash mark extending east from the vest and clash impressions of Memorial columns near the head, neck, and lips, confirming that the obverse and reverse dies made direct contact without a planchet between them. Die flow lines above the U and N of UNITED on the reverse, a gouge on the E of ONE, a scratch from the C of CENT, and diagonal scratches connecting the T of CENT to the Memorial base complete the reverse marker profile. Stage B shows die clash marks extending from the Memorial transferring onto the obverse, indicating additional clash events as the dies continued in service. Stage C introduces a fresh obverse die paired with the same transitional reverse, demonstrating that the Mint replaced the clashed obverse while leaving the RDV-007 reverse in production — evidence that the transitional hub identity went unrecognized during die maintenance. Attributed by the Wexler Team and struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm. Die Markers: Obverse: Stage A: Light diagonal die scratches run through and below the T and Y in LIBERTY. A small die gouge shows between the lower U and S in TRUST. A die scratch extends WNW from the back of the bust just below the Y of LIBERTY. A small die gouge protrudes from the left side of the E of ONE just left of the center horizontal bar. A light die scratch runs to the rim from the lower C in CENT. Stage B: A die clash mark extends northeast from the top of the Memorial below the S of PLURIBUS. Small die gouges can be found between the tops of the N and T of CENT. Submitted By: Stage A: Charles Hudson, Stage B: William Slaughter Cross References: CONECA Die #5 Obverse Stage A: Numerous die scratches run NW to SE between the vest and the 1 in the date. Numerous die scratches run WSW to ENE through and around the letters of TRUST. A strong die scratch runs west to east below the ST of TRUST. Reverse Stage A: A die scratch runs NW to SE above the right base of the Memorial. Parallel die scratches run west to east between the lower E and S of STATES. A die scratch runs WNW to ESE between the lower 5th and 6th Memorial columns. A die scratch extends from the lower right inside of the U of UNITED NNW to the rim. Reverse Stage C: The parallel die scratches running west to east between the lower E and S of STATES are still visible. The die scratch running WNW to ESE between the lower 5th and 6th Memorial columns is still visible.

Attribution History

• CONECA Die #1; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WTRD-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References