1942-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-006

Description

Sixth Wexler-designated repunched mintmark for the 1942-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety is cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #6 and Coppercoins 1942S-1MM-006. The higher catalog numbers across all three systems — compared to WRPM-006's CONECA RPM #3 and Coppercoins 003 — confirm this is a distinct working die with its own unique mintmark positioning, representing a separate hand-punching event at the Philadelphia Mint where S mintmark punches were applied to dies destined for San Francisco. Each working die received its mintmark individually, and the inherent imprecision of hand-punching meant that any slight movement of the punch between impressions would leave visible traces of the first placement alongside the final corrected position. The 1942-S cent holds a transitional place in Lincoln Cent history as the final year San Francisco struck cents in standard copper alloy before the wartime steel composition of 1943. Six documented RPMs for this single date and mint speaks to the thoroughness with which variety researchers have examined 1942-S cents, cataloging every detectable instance where the mintmark punch produced overlapping impressions on the die surface.

Attribution History

• CONECA: RPM #6, Coppercoins: 1942S-1MM-006 Comments: The; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-S 1¢ WRPM-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References