1994D-1DER-005WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Among the 1994 Denver trail die reverses cataloged by Trail Dies, 1994D-1DER-005WS stands out for its prominent obverse die crack that runs from Lincoln's beard to the top of his head. This dramatic crack, documented at Stage B with the obverse at mid-die-state, traces a path across one of the highest-relief areas of the Lincoln cent design, where the portrait's raised contours concentrate striking stress along the die surface. Die cracks of this length and location are visually compelling features that can be spotted under modest magnification. The reverse at mid-die-state shows no noted markers, meaning attribution of this die pair relies primarily on the obverse crack as the identifying characteristic. The wavy-step trail die effect on the reverse remains the primary variety classification, but the obverse crack serves as the confirmatory die marker — a pairing of reverse variety type with obverse die fingerprint that together establish a unique identification for coins struck from this specific pair.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – die crack from Lincoln’s beard to the top of his head.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

External References