1990P-1DER-001WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Opening the extensive reverse trail die catalog for the 1990 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, 1990P-1DER-001WS carries the WS suffix indicating documentation by the Wexler-Stanton attributing team. Examined at Stage B mid-die state (MDS), this variety's diagnostic markers include a die gouge positioned under the second digit 9 in the date, a die crack extending from the I in UNITED to the cornice tip of the Lincoln Memorial, and a gouge below the N of UNITED. The die crack from I to the cornice tip is a particularly useful attribution marker because it traces a specific path across the reverse design that would be difficult to confuse with cracking patterns from other dies. The gouge beneath the second 9 provides an obverse-side cross-reference that helps confirm the die pair identification. Trail die reverse varieties form when the obverse die contacts the reverse die face during press setup, transferring faint impressions of Lincoln's portrait, the date, or IN GOD WE TRUST lettering onto the Memorial side. The 1990 Philadelphia date produced one of the largest concentrations of trail die reverse varieties in the Memorial cent series. Struck on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – die gouge under the second 9 of the DATE.
• Reverse is MDS – die crack from the bottom of the I in UNITED to the cornice tip. Die gouge in the field below the N of UNITED.

External References