1988 Transitional Reverse Cent

[AgCollector]

Hi All,
After reading about the recent discovery of a 1988 cent made with the reverse die types intended for 1989, read about at the variety vista website here:

http://www.varietyvista.com/1988PRDV006%20cent.htm

I started to look for this curiousity. I believe I've found one, which has the characteristic flared G of the designer's initials, see photos. Are there other markers? It seems like the 1989 type to me but I'd like to double check.

Some of the die scratches on the obverse are the same as detailed on the variety vista coin but I can't see any real indication of the die clash that's illustrated on the obverse.

Thanks all!

[wavysteps]

It does look like you may have the one. James Wiles will be better at determining if it the transitional coin. The die clash, which is one of the die markers, may have not yet happened on your coin and that is why you are not seeing it.

BJ Neff

[JamesWiles]

The designer's initials are the right style the transitional piece. As BJ said, your coin could be before the clash. Or it could have a different obverse die. Or it could be a different die altogether. I would love to see it in person. Send me an email for the details.

[JamesWiles]

Congratulations!! This is indeed the transitional RDV-006. The die state is a little earlier than the discovery piece, so the clash does not show yet. But the die scratches are all there. I hope to have it up on varietyvista soon.

[AgCollector]

Congratulations!! This is indeed the transitional RDV-006. The die state is a little earlier than the discovery piece, so the clash does not show yet. But the die scratches are all there. I hope to have it up on varietyvista soon.

Thanks! Am I correct in thinking that because the die scratches are there, it's the same die pair as the discovery piece? Does it then imply that there's not many out there since there's only one die pair (so far)?

[foundinrolls]

James can correct me if I'm wrong but it may take a little time to see how many pairs (is that a word) of dies are involved. As people begin to look for these, more evidence of other die combinations may show up.

Thanks,
Bill

[JamesWiles]

Yes, yours is from the same die pair and right now it is the only one reported. We will just have to wait and keep looking for others before we can determine how rare it might or might not be.

[Steven]

Is this what you are discussing about a transitional reverse die. I found this one on a 1988D. If that is what it is. Not sure if I am on the right track here. Please excuse the newbeeness

Steven

[wavysteps]

Hi Steven - Would you believe that I more than expected to see one on a 1988-D Lincoln cent, that is the transitional design of the designer's initials.
Of course, I am sure that James Wiles will want to see this coin to verify what it is and add it to the site.

Congratulations on a nice find Steven.

BJ Neff

[Steven]

Thanks BJ,
I was looking through rolls and took a brake to serf the coin sites and saw this thread. Started looking again and found this one. I won't get my hopes up that it is unique
Steven

[AgCollector]

Thanks BJ,
I was looking through rolls and took a brake to serf the coin sites and saw this thread. Started looking again and found this one. I won't get my hopes up that it is unique
Steven

Nice find!

[JamesWiles]

Steven: I beleive that indeed is the RDV-006 and thus a transitional for the 1988-D. I would love to see it first hand for photography and inclusion in the CONECA files.

[Car10]

When was this transitional variety originally discovered?

To date, how many (confirmed and/or unconfirmed) examples are known to exist?

[wavysteps]

Hi Car10 - The first transitional cent, the 1988P with a 1989 reverse, was discovered about two months ago. I believe that James Wiles has attributed two.

The discovery of a possible 1988D transitional cent (I am 99% sure that it is) by Steven, happened in this forum and hopefully Steven has made contact with Dr. Wiles so that he may examine this possible new addition to the files.

Due to the nature of how these transitional coins are made, I doubt that many will surface and will have a count similar to the 1992D Lincoln cent with a closed AM of AMERICA.

BJ Neff

[Car10]

Thank you for the info. I have an interest because I too have sent one to Dr. Wiles for confirmation. He received it yesterday. From him it is going to ICG.