Moving my set from Whitman to Dansco albums, this quarter is originally from a mint unc set. Obverse, mostly on the right side, showing horizontal lines, or trails, from much of the lettering. I looked through Mike Diamonds Error-Ref.com site, appears to match the description of Defects Related to Die Polishing, Trails and Wavy Steps - or maybe just another type of die deterioration?
Yes, die polishing. I was schooled on this subject recently, too…trails. Nice looking coin notwithstanding.
I don't think it's damage Jersey; most of the trails emanate from a point or end of a digit. They even come off of MERICA, one per letter.
Looks like die polishing and that’s caused by a worn die. Dies are polished to prolong die life so they’re only polished when worn. Nice specimen.
Your coin looks like 2012P(HI)-25DEO-001T. https://web.archive.org/web/2025120...2020p_25_cent_obverse_dies_with_trails_pg__2/
Keep things in perspective. Yes, they are a mint error and are a slab-able collectible but when you come right down to it, it is just an example of poor workmanship, and only commands small premiums. Error coins with greater magnitudes of trail dies will bring higher premiums but it’s like other varieties…find the right buyer and their interest will affect the premium paid. It’s like, “How badly do they want it?” The other side of this is “What premium are you willing to accept to sell it?” This is what I meant by perspective…Spark.
Very good points Spark. There are a couple situations where demand/value can be higher - for documented well known items and for extreme examples that can stand on their own. The one I shared here is strong enough to be held onto and put in a 2x2 but not worth sending in to be attributed and slabbed IMO, even with an existing published example. 2000 – 2020P; 25DEO Files (Quarter Dollar) Page 2 : Traildies
