Jean finds an oddity trail die

[trails]

I just had to post this one. Jean sent me this 2006D, Lincoln cent with dual directional trails. While most dual directional trail dies are a reciprocal bearing, this one is not.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/2006D1DER9Ta.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/2006D1DER9Tb.jpg

The predominant set of trails is seen in a direction of 350 degrees (white arrows), while the secondary set is at 060 degrees (black arrows). Luckily, I was able to get a picture of both directional trails on the EPU.

This will be listed as 2006D-1DER-009T on the trrail die site.

Nice going Jean.

BJ Neff

[fugnchill]

First...Congratulations Jean (Trail Queen)
Second... BJ, Damn those pics are...Wow!
Next...
Bj,

Would this be classified as a dual bearing reciprocal trail? If it were a reciprocating oscillated trail then the latter would have a curve wouldn't it?

I'm just visualizing/analyzing how multi-directional trails are made during the striking process.

Lestrrr

[JeanK]

What a funny coin, only two directions?
Thanks for the great pictures BJ! Any idea how this would happen. Does it mean the coin was moved two times in opposite directions? Kinda odd it could happen with the squeeze method.
Jean

[1sgret]

Jean: "THAT's ODD!!!!!!!!!"

Just kidding Nice find!!!!! Congrats.

[trails]

Dual directional trail dies are complex in nature. The easiest to understand are the ones where the directions are reciprocal; the first line (generally the strongest) is the die warping with that movement producing a directional line in the opposite direction of that movement. The secondary line is the return path as the die tries to return to its original shape (from the loss of thermal energy). Normally the secondary lines are not seen since the pressure from the hub has been relieved enough that the high points on the hub will not mar the surface of the die.

In this particular case, we are looking at a different set of high points for the two different directional trails even though they both originate from the same design element. If you will look at either U in UNUM, you will see that the trail line which has a direction of 350 degrees forms on the left corner, while the 060 directional trail forms on the right corner of those letters. This switching may have been caused by the die titling in a different direction for the return path during the cooling period. This would cause a different set of high points to come into play and mar the dies surface.

The basic understanding of how trails are formed is pretty much understood, however, why trails go in different directions and what causes them to do so is pure conjecture on my part. We are dealing with a convex and a concave surface of the die and hub surfaces. On top of that, there are two variables that are thrown into the mix, thermal warping and the amount of pressure.

Since the MINT is not looking into these anomalies or how they are formed, we may never know all the parameters of just how they are created. However, knowing that these are die anomalies is the important fact for that is what sets them apart from any other working die (or master die, or working hub). It also sets trails apart from a doubled die and a RPM.

BJ Neff

[JeanK]

Very interesting BJ. This is one to put in my folder of great information. Is this similar to how wavy steps are formed?
I have noticed there are very few obverse trail dies. Yet one can find trails on the reverse with wavy steps. Is it possible the obverse trails are not as frequent because the high spot on the obverse coin is the portrait making it more difficult for the trails to form on the low spots? The coin's reverse devices are mostly the same height making it easier for the anomaly to form.

Okay, so I ask too many questions. :) Better quit while I am ahead.
Thanks,
Jean

[trails]

Jean, interesting questions which do have answers.

Trails and wavy steps are one in the same thing. The only difference is the placement. Wavy steps occur only on the Lincoln cent reverse and only on the stairs. Trails are every other place. Both anomaly "names" are formed by the same action.

While there are far more reverse dies with trails than the obverse, the number is equaling out to some degree. There are two reasons for unequal amount between die faces. The first is that the bust does take up more of the die on the obverse and does not have angular points which tend to form most trails. The second reason is cosmetics. For some reason, the mint is more concerned about faults on the obverse die than the reverse die. Why this is does elude me and I can think that it must do to "putting your best face forward".

Let us look at the common die clash. Most of the time, the reverse die is abraded to remove that clash, while the obverse die is removed from service. Possibly the best example of this obsession for the obverse die is 1999P-1DER-015WST. This is the strongest wavy step found to date. During the course of both dies being used together, the obverse die developed a small die chip on Lincoln's nose and was replaced with a new obverse die. However, the reverse die with the strong wavy step remained in place. Why did the MINT not replace the strongest fault of the two dies? Cosmetics and appearances!

BJ Neff

[JeanK]

Thanks BJ.
I knew I would learn a lot more if I just keep hanging out here...
Jean