2013P-1DER-008T Trail Die Reverse

Description

David Strzalkowski identified this trail die reverse on a 2013 Philadelphia Lincoln Shield Cent, where a misaligned or improperly seated die creates a faint secondary impression of design elements — a "trail" or "ghost" of the intended reverse image. Trail die varieties represent mechanical misalignment during the striking process rather than the hub doubling that produces DDO/DDR varieties, making them a distinct error category within die-related anomalies. Die markers place the documented specimen at Stage B, with the obverse at Early-to-Mid Die State showing no notable markers, and the reverse similarly at Early-to-Mid Die State without distinctive secondary diagnostics. The Lincoln Shield reverse, designed by Lyndall Bass and sculpted by Joseph Menna, features a union shield with horizontal lines and vertical stripes that provide clear geometric reference points for identifying trail die displacement. Philadelphia produced over 3.7 billion Shield Cents in 2013, a volume that reflects the ongoing high demand for circulating one-cent coins despite periodic debate about the denomination's continued relevance. Cataloged by Trail Dies, 2013P-1DER-008T is the eighth trail die reverse documented for the 2013 Philadelphia cent, demonstrating that trail die errors occur with some frequency even in modern high-speed coining operations where die alignment is mechanically regulated.

Die Markers

• Stage “B“, obverse is EMDS – none noted.
• Reverse is EMDS – none noted.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Strzalkowski
• Expert attribution by Trail Dies

External References