2012P-5DER-004T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Documented by Trail Dies and discovered by Tanaka (Mikee) Davis, the 2012P-5DER-004T is a trail die reverse variety found on the 2012-P Jefferson Nickel bearing the Return to Monticello reverse design that was reintroduced in 2006 following the two-year Westward Journey series. Trail die varieties document faint design impressions transferred between die components during the manufacturing process, producing subtle raised marks that differ mechanistically from hub doubling. Die markers place this in Stage B (mid-die state): the obverse shows no noted markers in MDS, while the reverse in MDS exhibits a small die gouge below the first A in AMERICA. The catalog designation 5DER-004T follows the Trail Dies system where 5D indicates nickel denomination, ER specifies reverse (error on reverse), 004 is the sequential catalog number, and T confirms trail die classification. The Return to Monticello design, a modified version of Felix Schlag's original 1938 reverse, was paired with a new forward-facing Jefferson portrait by Jamie Franki on the obverse starting in 2006. The 2012-P was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams and 21.2 mm diameter. Tanaka (Mikee) Davis, credited as the discoverer, has contributed multiple trail die discoveries to the catalog, including the 2000D-5DEO-001T also in this batch. The die gouge below the first A in AMERICA provides a die-specific reverse marker for attribution confirmation beyond the trail die features themselves.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – none noted.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen below the first A in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tanaka (Mikee) Davis
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References