2004P-10DER-001T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Cataloged by Trail Dies as 2004P-10DER-001T, this Roosevelt Dime trail die reverse represents one of the rarer denominations for trail die documentation — the 10DER code designating it as a ten-cent denomination trail die reverse. Trail lines are visible from the tops of the letters of E PLURIBUS UNUM, from the tips of the flames in the torch, and lightly from the olive leaves — a widespread distribution of trail impressions across multiple design elements on the reverse face. The offset direction of the trail lines is 005 degrees (approximately due north), indicating the residual impressions were displaced in a nearly vertical upward direction from their normal positions. This variety can be found in Mint Sets, suggesting collectors searching for this die should examine coins from 2004 uncirculated mint set packaging as a primary source. The Roosevelt Dime was designed by John R. Sinnock, introduced in 1946 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the obverse featuring Roosevelt's left-facing portrait and the reverse displaying a torch flanked by olive and oak branches representing liberty, peace, and strength. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core), weighing 2.268 grams at 17.91 mm diameter with a reeded edge. Trail die varieties on dimes are less commonly documented than on cents, partly due to the smaller coin size making faint trail impressions harder to detect and partly because fewer collectors systematically examine dimes for this type of variety. The multiple affected areas — E PLURIBUS UNUM letter tops, torch flame tips, and olive leaves — provide three distinct zones for examination, with the torch flames offering perhaps the most dramatic visual evidence as the trail lines extend the flame tips in the 005-degree direction.

Attribution History

• Discovered by George dePozsgay
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References