1994D-1DER-004WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Advancing to Stage C — a late die state — the 1994D-1DER-004WS wavy-step trail die reverse on the 1994 Denver Lincoln Memorial cent shows the progression of die wear beyond the mid-die-state examples that dominate the 1994-D trail die census. Documented by Trail Dies, this variety's late die state designation indicates that both the wavy-step effect and any accompanying die deterioration had reached an advanced stage before the die was retired. The obverse at late die state shows no noted markers. The reverse, also at late die state, carries a small die gouge in the R of AMERICA and a die dot on the floor of bay 1. The die dot on the bay floor is an especially precise attribution point: located within the first bay of the Memorial colonnade, it occupies a small, well-defined area of the design where any raised anomaly stands out against the recessed floor surface. Die dots form when microscopic fragments of die steel detach, leaving tiny voids that fill with planchet metal during striking.

Die Markers

• Stage “C”, obverse is LDS – none noted.
• Reverse is LDS – small die gouge in the R of AMERICA. Die dot on the floor of bay 1.

External References