1998D-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Michael Pope of Illinois, this trail die variety on the obverse of a 1998-D Lincoln Memorial Cent documents a die that was used past its intended service life, producing progressively deteriorated impressions as the die surface broke down. Documented at Stage B in mid die state, the trail die shows the characteristic loss of fine detail and softening of design elements that occurs when a worn die continues to strike coins. Trail dies represent the natural endpoint of die life — every die eventually wears out, but most are retired before reaching this stage. The 1998-D Lincoln Memorial Cent was struck in copper-plated zinc composition at the Denver Mint, the standard planchet material since the mid-1982 transition from 95% copper. Trail die varieties on Lincoln Memorial Cents are tracked systematically, and each is attributed to its discoverer, whose careful examination of circulation finds identified the telltale signs of advanced die deterioration.

Die Markers

• Stage “B”, obverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen to the left of the W in WE.
• Reverse is MDS – a die gouge is seen half way between the rim and the left corner of the Memorial building.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Pope
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References