2012P-5DER-008T Trail Die Reverse

Description

Found by Tanaka (Mikee) Davis on the 2012 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel, this trail die reverse variety displays offset trail impressions on the Monticello reverse from a slightly shifted die during production. In Stage B, the obverse is MDS with a small die dot to the left of the I in the word IN. The reverse is MDS with a small die gouge on top of the S in PLURIBUS. Trail die varieties result from fractional die movement between strikes, leaving faint secondary ghost images alongside the intended design. The Jefferson Nickel series returned to Felix Schlag's original Monticello reverse in 2006 after the Westward Journey commemorative reverses of 2004-2005. Struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, the composition has remained unchanged since the series debuted in 1938, except during wartime 1942-1945. Die varieties on modern Jefferson Nickels provide collectors with accessible attribution challenges on a readily available denomination.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is MDS – a small die dot is seen to the left of the I of the word IN.
• Reverse is MDS – a small die gouge is seen on top of the S in PLURIBUS.

Attribution History

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

External References