1990P-1DER-009WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Found by Louis Schaeffer, 1990P-1DER-009WS on the 1990 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent was examined at Stage C late die state (LDS), with die cracks providing the primary diagnostic markers for attribution. A die crack extends from the left cornice through the I in UNITED to the rim, tracing the same general fracture path seen on several other 1990-P reverse dies — this cornice-to-rim cracking pattern reflects a common stress failure mode in Memorial reverse dies where the horizontal cornice element creates a geometric stress riser in the die steel. A second die crack runs from the right base tip of the Memorial to the rim, documenting fracture progression from the opposite end of the building design. The presence of two separate die cracks extending to the rim from different origins indicates advanced die fatigue consistent with the LDS classification, suggesting this die was approaching the end of its serviceable life when these specimens were struck. Schaeffer's contribution to the trail die catalog for 1990 Philadelphia reflects the collaborative nature of variety attribution, where individual collectors identify and submit specimens that expand the documented die population for a given date. 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 “C”, obverse is LDS – none noted.
• Reverse is LDS – die crack from the left cornice tip, through the I of UNITED and onto the rim. Die crack from the right base tip to the rim.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References