Trail Dies

[Guest]

Has anyone ever researched the dates to each denomination to which Trail Dies have been found? This would include both the Obverse and Reverse. I think there is a pattern. David

[jcuve]

BJ probably has additional data.

One could of course use Traildies.com and just compile the numbers from the listings. I would guess though, that as of now, certain years and orientations may be skewed by the searching for other prominent varieties - such a '99 where large numbers of collectors are searching for WAMs where as other years, maybe a '01D reverse, do not get looked at so the actual numbers of dies may not be reflective of what has been found thus far.

[mustbebob]

I am interested in hearing about what patterns you are thinking about David. Keep in mind that trail dies have only Bent documented for a couple of years, even though they have been out there for decades.
If you read the theory on how these are made, it seems difficult to ascertain if a 'pattern' can be determined. We are always open to suggestions on how folks view that these were made or if a pattern does exist.

[CCC]

Thanks Jason, Bob. I haven't researched the pattern's but I am sure there is one. I have tried to find out what type of metal the dies were made from to no avail. I am sure the mint uses the same source for all dies for each denomination. The properties of the dies are important because the mixture of metals does not harden equal. There will be soft spot's in the metal. Whether the mint carbourizes(1650 deg.) or in a vaccum oven (1850 deg.) it is a impossible process to be so accurate to get the desired hardness evenly.

Note that the trails do happen and I am not trying to dispute them, I am merely throwing my opinion on how they occur.

EDS coins can have them due to a weak spot in the die or the entire die or both dies at one time.

I have not read BJ's or Potter's theory's on how trail dies are formed but I am sure there is truth to what they said. I have yet to visit a Mint to actually see how the process works but by watching slides and video's the coolant to the dies during the process isn't alway's perfect. Heat is a contributing factor to reducing or tempering the hardness.

Over the years the dies have produced many different errors, the time frame or dates have produced similar occurances due to the dies metal content and hardness. Just thought I would throw that out there. David