1996 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - P-1DER-037WS Trail Die Reverse

Description

Moderate wavy steps beneath the central columns, 5 to 8, define 1996P-1DER-037WS, the lines running at 190°, slightly west of south. Wavy steps are TrailDies' term for trails that run over the Memorial's stairway and leave the steps looking bent. The code is 1996P (the date with Philadelphia's P), 1 (a one-cent coin), DER (a reverse design extension), 037 (its file) and WS (wavy steps). Its middle-die-state reverse has several markers: damage in and around the shrubs on the right of the base, a teardrop-shaped dent under the left side of the base, small dots low in bay 2 and a small dot right of the P in PLURIBUS. Wavy steps are normally explained as a result of polishing the die with a rotary tool; a few attribute them to the die moving against the hub.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is MDS – die damage is seen in and around the right side shrubs on the Memorial building base. A teardrop shaped die dent is seen under the left Memorial building base. Small die dots are seen in the lower portion of bay 2. A small die dot is seen to the right of the P in PLURIBUS.

External References