2010D-1DEO-001T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Documented by Trail Dies and discovered by Albert Neils, the 2010D-1DEO-001T trail die obverse variety on the Lincoln Shield Cent represents a distinctive class of die error where machine doubling or ejection doubling creates a secondary, weaker image alongside the primary strike impression. Trail dies differ mechanistically from doubled dies: while doubled dies result from hub-to-die misalignment during die manufacture and affect every coin struck from that die identically, trail die effects arise during the striking process itself and can vary in intensity from coin to coin. Die staging for this variety documents a Stage B condition where the obverse is in Mid Die State with small die dots visible to the left of and within the W of WE, while the reverse shows Mid Die State characteristics with no notable markers. The Lincoln Shield Cent, introduced in 2010, features Victor David Brenner's iconic Lincoln portrait on the obverse paired with Lyndall Bass's Union Shield reverse design symbolizing Lincoln's preservation of the Union. The 2010-D issue was struck at the Denver Mint in copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19.05 mm diameter. Trail die varieties on Lincoln Shield Cents attract collectors who appreciate the full spectrum of die-related anomalies beyond the more commonly collected doubled die and repunched mintmark categories, and the 2010 first-year-of-design status adds further appeal.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – small die dots are seen to the left and in the W of WE
• Reverse is MDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Albert Neils
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References