1928-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1928-S 1¢ WRPM-003 and extensively cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #3, Breen #2113, Coppercoins 1928S-1MM-003, and included in the Wexler Top 100 RPM listing, this Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the most well-documented repunched mintmark varieties in the series. Two distinct obverse die stages are described: Stage A shows a large mintmark with a northwest-southeast die gouge through the I of IN and a strong secondary mintmark impression. Stage B exhibits metal pull from the letters of IN GOD WE TRUST, showing strongly on the upper and center horizontal bars of the E of WE and the letters of TRUST, with only a remnant of the secondary mintmark remaining — indicating progressive die wear gradually obscured the secondary S impression. Reverse Stage A carries die scratches from the upper left wheat ear, while Reverse Stage B shows a die crack running from the tip of the left upper wheat ear to the E in E PLURIBUS UNUM. The Breen #2113 cross-reference places this variety in Walter Breen's comprehensive Encyclopedia, confirming its long-recognized significance in numismatic scholarship. The 1928-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 95% copper alloy weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait continued from the original 1909 design. The die's progression from Stage A's strong secondary mintmark to Stage B's mere remnant illustrates how continued production use gradually erases attribution markers — making Stage A specimens significantly more desirable to collectors because the repunching evidence is clearest before wear and metal flow begin to smooth away the secondary impression.

Attribution History

• CONECA: RPM #3, Breen: #2113, Coppercoins: 1928S-1MM-003 Top 100 RPM: Wexler; Wexler Variety ID: 1928-S 1¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References