1947-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-024

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1947-S 1¢ WRPM-024 and submitted by Eric Axtell, this Lincoln Wheat Cent features a distinctive trumpet tail S mintmark — a San Francisco mintmark punch variant where the tail of the S flares outward in a trumpet-like shape rather than tapering to a point, identifying the specific physical punch tool used for this die's mintmark application. Obverse die markers include die scratches running north-northwest from the top of the T in LIBERTY and die scratches running north-northwest to south-southeast above and through the 19 in the date. Reverse markers include a short but strong die gouge running southwest from the inside of the lower right leg of the A in STATES, die scratches running south-southeast from the top of the E in ONE to the bottom of the same E, and additional die scratches found throughout the reverse. No cross-references to other cataloging systems are known. The trumpet tail mintmark is a particularly valuable diagnostic because it narrows the identification to a specific S punch tool used at the San Francisco Mint — different physical punches had slightly different letter forms, and the trumpet tail variant can be distinguished from standard taper-tail punches under moderate magnification. The Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1947 in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc at 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait pairs with the wheat ears reverse. The strong die gouge at the A in STATES on the reverse, described as running southwest from the lower right leg, provides one of the more distinctive reverse markers in the 1947-S RPM catalog.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Eric Axtell
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1947-S 1¢ WRPM-024
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References