1990P-1DER-010T Trail Die Reverse

Description

The most advanced die state documented among the 1990 Philadelphia trail die reverse varieties, 1990P-1DER-010T was examined at Stage D very late die state (VLDS) — the final classification before a die is retired from service, indicating extreme wear, extensive cracking, and degraded design transfer. The VLDS classification means this die had produced an enormous number of coins, likely approaching or exceeding its intended service life, yet continued striking until removed. Found by Louis Schaeffer, this variety displays an unusual 040-degree offset — a clockwise direction that differs from the more common counter-clockwise orientations seen in most trail die varieties. Trail lines extend from the bottom right corners of NTE in UNITED, the top right corners of STATE in STATES, all E PLURIBUS UNUM letters from their top right corners, and the right corners of both the stylobate and roof of the Memorial. Die markers include a gouge below the first digit 9 in the date and a gouge above the third stylobate corner. The comprehensive trail line coverage across multiple design elements — spanning the full width of the reverse from UNITED through EPU to STATES — combined with the VLDS classification makes this one of the most extensively documented trail die varieties for the date. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm. DIE MARKERS: Stage “D”, obverse is VLDS – a small die gouge is seen below the first 9 in the date. Reverse is VLDS – a small die gouge is seen above the third corner level of the stylobate.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References