1992-D Transitional Reverse Design WTRD-002

Description

A second 1992-D cent struck from a 1993-specification reverse die, WTRD-002 confirms that the transitional reverse pairing documented by WTRD-001 was not an isolated incident — at least two distinct reverse dies bearing the updated 1993 hub design were pressed into service for 1992-D production at the Denver Mint. The existence of multiple transitional dies suggests a systematic rather than accidental mixing of die inventories: when the Mint prepared new reverse dies from the modified 1993 hub, some were apparently shipped to Denver and installed alongside the standard 1992-design dies without being flagged as next-year tooling. The differences between the 1992 and 1993 reverse hubs are subtle enough that press operators would not have noticed the substitution during routine die installation. For collectors, distinguishing the two transitional varieties requires careful comparison of die markers rather than design differences, since both carry the identical 1993 reverse hub — only the incidental surface features unique to each physical die (gouges, scratches, polish lines) differentiate WTRD-001 from WTRD-002. Transitional design errors are prized because they document the Mint's die management practices at the precise moment of a design change. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Greg Smith Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1992-D 1¢ WTRD-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References