1993D-1DER-009WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

A long die scrape running from the T of UNITED to the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM carries the qualifier "old" in the catalog — indicating this mark predated the trail die phenomenon, likely originating during die manufacture or handling before the die entered a press. Fresh scrapes cut through design elements with sharp edges, but old scrapes accumulate the same flow lines and texture as the surrounding die face, betraying their earlier origin. The distinction matters: a scrape during production points to press-floor mishandling, while a pre-existing one suggests the die shop, annealing furnace, or transit. A die scratch at the bottom of bay 2 provides additional reverse attribution. The obverse is clean at Stage B mid-die-state. The trail die characteristics are not detailed beyond the WS suffix, which confirms both fluting and step deviation were observed. This variety illustrates how die surface history — the accumulated record of marks absorbed across a die's lifespan — layers onto the trail die effect to create a unique diagnostic profile. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets, 2.5 grams, 19mm, plain edge.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – none noted
• Reverse is MDS – old die scrape from the T of UNITED to the E of EPU. Die scratch at the bottom of bay # 2.

External References