2011P-1DEO-004T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Discovered by Tanaka Davis, this fourth trail die obverse for the 2011 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Shield Cent exhibits trail lines from the TR of TRUST at an offset direction of 300 degrees. The 300-degree bearing indicates the die shifted west-northwest during hubbing, dragging the TR design elements in that direction to produce the characteristic linear extensions that define trail die varieties. The T suffix classifies this as a trail-lines-only variety. At Stage B mid-die state, no notable obverse markers were observed, while the reverse carries a die chip on the upper left edge of the shield — the Union Shield design introduced in 2010 to replace the Lincoln Memorial reverse. Trail dies on Shield Cents represent an evolving area of variety research as specialists adapt techniques from the familiar Memorial reverse to the new shield motif. The obverse DEO designation distinguishes trail die obverses from the more commonly cataloged reverse trail dies, and the 300-degree offset provides the angular data collectors need for attribution. Tanaka Davis's discovery adds to the early Shield Cent trail die catalog.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – none noted
• Reverse is MDS – a die chip is seen on the upper left edge of the shield.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tanaka Davis
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References