1945-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-012

Description

An S/S West variety using MMS-004 (Trumpet Tail), this VarietyVista-documented 1945-S Lincoln Wheat Cent tracks four progressive die states including a distinctive die gouge lifecycle. Die markers UVC-214 / DMR-015: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with a long die gouge across upper hair at MDS and reverse at MDS; Stage C with obverse and reverse at LDS; Stage D with the die gouge almost worn away at VLDS and reverse at VLDS. The progressive erasure of the hair gouge from prominent at MDS to nearly invisible at VLDS documents exactly how die surface features are flattened by repeated striking pressure over thousands of impressions. Composed of 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm, struck at the San Francisco Mint during the final year of World War II. The Trumpet Tail punch identification aids researchers tracking mintmark tool service histories.

Die Markers

• UVC-214
• DMR-015
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Long die gouge across upper hair – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS
• Stage D:
• Die gouge almost worn away – VLDS
• Reverse is VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Harry Ellis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References