2011P-1DEO-013T Trail Die Obverse

Description

Found by James Mitchell, this 2011 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Shield Cent shows trail die characteristics on the obverse. Cataloged by Trail Dies at Stage B (MDS): a die crack on Lincoln's forehead on the obverse; a die crack along the right top of the shield's edge traveling into the field and another adjacent to the left point of the shield on the reverse. The shield edge cracks document structural stress in Bass's Shield Cent reverse, introduced just one year earlier in 2010. Trail die varieties result from slight mechanical displacement during hubbing, creating faint raised lines near the primary design. Composed of copper-plated zinc at 2.5 grams and 19.05 mm, the 2011-P was the second year of this reverse. The forehead crack is a recurring failure point across Lincoln Cent dies where highest relief concentrates stress.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a die crack is seen on Lincoln’s forehead.
• Reverse is MDS – a die crack is seen along the right top of the shield’s edge, traveling into the field. Another die crack is seen in the field adjacent to the left point of the shield.

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Mitchell
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References