1942-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-022

Description

Listed by the Wexler Team as 1942-S 1¢ WRPM-022, this Lincoln Wheat Cent features an S repunched mintmark from the San Francisco Mint with detailed die markers for attribution. Obverse markers include a die scratch running parallel to the rim between the S and T in TRUST, and a small die scratch running northwest-southeast on the top of Lincoln's beard below the bottom lip — a facial feature marker that provides an instantly recognizable attribution checkpoint once located. Reverse die markers are referenced in the description but specific reverse markers beyond the mintmark repunching were not detailed in the source documentation. No cross-references to other cataloging systems are currently known. The 22nd cataloged repunched mintmark for the 1942-S date demonstrates the prolific die production at the San Francisco Mint during the wartime buildup year of 1942, when cent production escalated to meet the demands of a rapidly mobilizing economy. The Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc at 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter — the standard bronze composition that would be temporarily abandoned the following year for zinc-coated steel. Victor David Brenner's obverse Lincoln portrait pairs with the wheat ears reverse design. The beard die scratch below Lincoln's lower lip is a particularly effective obverse die marker because it sits in a high-detail area where the fine engraving of Lincoln's facial hair provides strong visual contrast against any anomalous marks, making it detectable even under moderate 5x magnification before the collector proceeds to confirm the mintmark repunching under higher power.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Bloomberg Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-S 1¢ WRPM-022
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References