1992D-1DER-003 Trail Die Reverse

Description

Subtle trail die effects demand patient examination, and 1992D-1DER-003 tests the observer's skill with light fluting line extension into the stylobate under column two only, accompanied by equally light step deviation under columns five through eight at a 180-degree offset. The absence of a suffix letter in the catalog number — neither WS, T, nor WST — indicates this variety falls into the base trail die category where the phenomena, while present, do not meet the threshold intensity for a wavy steps or trails designation. Detecting these light-intensity features requires optimal magnification (typically 10x to 20x) and careful lighting: raking light directed across the stylobate at a low angle creates shadows that reveal the faint fluting extensions and step deviations that overhead lighting would wash out. Found by Bill Slaughter of Arkansas and documented at Stage B in a Mid Die State (MDS), the die shows no notable obverse markers, while the reverse carries a die gouge on the left side of the E in AMERICA and another under the left base above the O of ONE. For collectors pursuing the complete 1992-D trail die set, the subtlety of 003 makes it one of the more challenging varieties to confirm visually. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Slaughter
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References