2009P(DC)-25DEO-006 Trail Die Obverse

Description

Documented by Trail Dies and discovered by Steven Bernatowics, this trail die obverse on the 2009-P District of Columbia Quarter is cataloged as the sixth trail die obverse for this specific issue. Die markers place this at Stage B with the obverse in Mid Die State showing no noted markers, while the reverse in MDS carries a significant secondary variety: the reverse die is identified as a doubled die, specifically WDDR-009. This combination creates a dual-variety coin — trail die obverse paired with doubled die reverse — where both sides exhibit distinct manufacturing anomalies from independent die-preparation events, substantially increasing collector interest. The DC Quarter was part of the DC and US Territories Quarters program of 2009, which followed the 50 State Quarters program and honored the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The DC reverse, designed by Don Everhart, features Duke Ellington seated at a piano, with the inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL — one of the most distinctive reverse designs in the entire multi-year quarter program. The 2009-P was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (75% Cu, 25% Ni outer layers bonded to pure Cu core), weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter. Trail die obverse varieties affect William Cousins' modified Washington portrait, where the trailing die contact creates characteristic linear displacement on the portrait and inscriptions. The pairing with reverse WDDR-009 makes this a particularly desirable variety, and collectors should examine both sides: the obverse for trail die characteristics under 7x magnification, and the reverse for the documented doubled die features on the Ellington design.

Die Markers

• Stage "B", obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is MDS – the reverse is a doubled die; WDDR-009.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steven Bernatowics
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References