1945-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-018

Description

Documented by VarietyVista on the 1945-S Lincoln Wheat cent, RPM-018 is a repunched mintmark variety catalogued under UVC-220 and DMR-021. The mintmark shift is S over S North, and the mintmark style is MMS-006, the Ball Serif type. Repunched mintmarks on Lincoln Wheat cents arose from the hand-punching practice used before unified hub mintmarks were standardized; when the initial placement was incorrect, re-punching left a visible secondary impression. The 1945-S is the last wartime year for Lincoln cents, which had been struck in steel in 1943 before returning to copper-bearing composition in 1944. Die stages are documented in three phases: Stage A features a die gouge on the lower front lapel of Lincoln's coat at early die state on the obverse, with the reverse at very light die state. Stage B is mid-die state, currently unconfirmed. Stage C is late die state, currently unconfirmed. The S over S North direction and the Ball Serif mintmark style are the primary attribution markers for identifying RPM-018 among the many repunched mintmark varieties documented on this date and mintmark combination.

Die Markers

• UVC-220
• DMR-021
• Stage A:
• Die gouge on lower front lapel – EDS
• Reverse is VLDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Wilson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References