1996P-1DER-032T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Discovered by Michael Pope of Illinois, this 1996 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial cent exhibits a dual directional trail die on the reverse, a relatively uncommon subtype. Moderate trail lines are visible on the M of UNUM, the last period in E PLURIBUS UNUM, all letters of AMERICA, the letters in CENT, and the designer's initials. The dual directional character is confirmed by two distinct trails visible on the bottom corners of the M in AMERICA, with reciprocal bearing offsets at 090 and 270 degrees. Stage B die markers show the obverse at mid-die state with a small die gouge in the field below the ER of LIBERTY, while the reverse at mid-die state displays no additional noted markers. Dual directional trail dies are distinguished from single-direction varieties by the presence of trail evidence in opposing directions, indicating that the die shifted both ways during the striking sequence. The reciprocal 090-to-270-degree offset pattern is characteristic of lateral oscillation in the press mechanism. This variety is a noteworthy example of the dual directional trail die phenomenon within the Lincoln Memorial cent series.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen in the field below the ER of LIBERTY.
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.
• NOTE
• : This die was found by
• Michael Pope
• of Illinois.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Pope
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References