2012P-5DER-002T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Documented in the Trail Dies catalog and discovered by Monika Stacy, the 2012P-5DER-002T is the second cataloged trail die reverse variety for the 2012 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel. Trail die reverse varieties present a faint secondary impression of the Monticello reverse design offset from the primary, caused when the die receives an unintended secondary contact during manufacturing or press setup — the resulting ghost-like duplication of architectural elements from Thomas Jefferson's Virginia plantation home creates a subtle but collectible variety. The die marker documentation identifies Stage "C" at late die state (LDS): the obverse shows no noted markers, while the reverse exhibits a small die gouge between the BU of PLURIBUS and another small die gouge above the IC of AMERICA. The late-die-state designation indicates this die pair was near the end of its service life when the documented specimens were struck, with accumulated wear and damage producing the identifying gouges in the reverse inscriptions. The Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 2012 in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm. The Return to Monticello reverse design, reintroduced in 2006 after the Westward Journey series, restored Felix Schlag's iconic depiction of Jefferson's architectural masterpiece. The absence of obverse markers at this die state is notable — while the reverse accumulated distinctive gouges, the obverse die surface remained relatively clean in LDS, suggesting the two dies experienced different deterioration patterns despite being subjected to the same striking forces throughout their shared service life.

Die Markers

• Stage “C“, obverse is LDS – none noted
• Reverse is LDS – a small die gouge is seen in between the BU of PLURIBUS. Another small die gouge is seen above the IC of AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Monika Stacy
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References