2008P-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Louis Schaeffer and cataloged by Trail Dies, this 2008 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent features a trail die obverse where lateral die movement during striking produced visible trail lines on the obverse portrait and legends. The 2008 issue represents the final year of regular Lincoln Memorial Cent production before the four 2009 Bicentennial reverse designs and the 2010 Union Shield permanent reverse. Trail dies form when the die shifts horizontally at the moment of striking, dragging metal across the coin's surface to produce characteristic directional lines extending from design elements. As the fourth trail die obverse documented for the 2008-P date, this variety contributes to the body of research on trail die occurrence during the closing years of Victor David Brenner's obverse paired with Frank Gasparro's Memorial reverse. The obverse design — Lincoln's profile with IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date — provides numerous fine design elements where trail effects can be detected under magnification. Louis Schaeffer's discovery adds to his contributions to Lincoln Cent variety documentation during the late 2000s production era.

Die Markers

• Stage “A”, obverse is EDS – die crack in the back of Lincoln’s head angling towards WE. Die gouge below the ER of TRUST.
• Reverse is EDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis Schaeffer
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References