1988 Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-005

Description

Cross-referenced as CONECA Die #2, WTRD-005 on the 1988 Lincoln Memorial cent features a distinctive X-shaped marker above the E of LIBERTY where two die scratches — one running west-northwest to east-southeast and another running southwest to northeast — intersect, creating one of the more visually memorable attribution points among the seven Philadelphia transitional reverse varieties. Additional obverse markers include a strong scratch extending northeast from the upper right Y in LIBERTY, a scratch northeast from the top of the first 8 in the date, and a scratch from just left of the bowtie running north-northeast into the throat. On the reverse, a short but strong scratch extends north from the top left side of the Memorial roof. Transitional reverse designs on 1988-P cents result from the Philadelphia Mint receiving reverse working dies that had been impressed with the RDV-007 hub — a design master prepared for 1989 production featuring subtle modifications to letter spacing, the FG initials, and Memorial architectural details. The intersecting scratch creating the X formation above LIBERTY is the kind of distinctive, easily recognizable marker that experienced cherry-pickers memorize for rapid in-hand sorting, making WTRD-005 one of the more efficiently attributable varieties in the Philadelphia transitional reverse sequence. Attributed by the Wexler Team and struck on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joseph Koelling Cross References: CONECA Die #2
• CONECA Die #2; Wexler Variety ID: 1988 1¢ WTRD-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References