2003P(MO)-25DEO-001 Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Albert Neils and cataloged by Trail Dies, this 2003 Philadelphia Mint Missouri State Quarter features a trail die obverse where lateral die movement during striking produced visible trail lines on the obverse design. The Missouri State Quarter, released as part of the 50 State Quarters program, depicts the Gateway Arch with Lewis and Clark on the reverse. Die markers include a die crack running from the bow of the canoe, providing an attribution marker for this specific die pair. Trail dies form when the die shifts laterally at the moment of impact, dragging metal across the coin's surface to create characteristic lines extending from design elements. As the first trail die obverse documented for the 2003-P Missouri issue, this variety establishes the baseline entry for trail die research on this particular state design. State Quarter trail dies are collected across all fifty designs, and the Missouri issue's detailed obverse — featuring George Washington's portrait in the standard John Flanagan design modified by William Cousins — provided numerous fine design elements where trail effects could manifest.

Die Markers

• Stage "B", obverse is MDS – a small die dent is seen in the field below the ME of AMERICA.
• Reverse is MDS – a die crack is seen from the bow of the canoe.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Albert Neils
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References