A reality check on "trail" dies

[wavysteps2003]

When it was reported by the MINT in 1997 that all dies made were going to be from the single squeeze process, everyone thought that this was the starting date for this new type hubbing.

However, the MINT's report stated that they had ben experimenting with the single squeeze hubbing system before 1986. Just how long before that 1986 date is unknown.

John Wexler has filed two proof Lincoln cent dies with wavy steps from 1984 and now Steven Bingham has pushed that date even further back. Take a look at these two pictures.





This is a typical trail die with lines and distortion from the tops of the letters in EPU, distortion on the tops of the E and T of STATES and slight distortion on the word OF.

What makes this die very interesting is the fact it is from 1982, the earliest known trail or wavy step die.

Conclusion: This is a trail die and I still believe that wavy steps and trails are formed from the single squeeze hubbing system.

For those interested, this is filed in my system as 1982P(LDZ)-1DER-001T.

BJ Neff

[Steven]

Cool

[Rhubarb]

That's cool Steven, keep me informed on the dates that are of interest. You have a great eye for this variety!

I have passed over the early 80's just thinking it was die deteriotaion. Keep me informed on the dates.


Rhubarb