1948-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-006

Description

Sixth Wexler-cataloged repunched mintmark for the 1948 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, WRPM-006 shows a D over D displacement to the northwest — a secondary D mintmark impression visible beneath or adjacent to the primary D, shifted in the northwest direction. Repunched mintmarks occurred when the mint mark punch was applied to the working die more than once with slightly different positioning, a consequence of the manual mintmark application process that was standard practice at the U.S. Mint through much of the twentieth century. Each working die received its mintmark individually by hand, struck into the die face with a small punch, and any repositioning between impressions left traces of the earlier strike visible on every coin produced from that die. Die markers for attribution include east-west die scratches inside Lincoln's lower ear on the obverse, a die scratch running south from the bottom of the C of CENT on the reverse, and a die scratch running north from the N of UNITED on the reverse. Cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #2 and Coppercoins 1948D-1MM-002, this variety benefits from triple catalog coverage through the Wexler, CONECA, and Coppercoins reference systems. The Wexler designation 1948-D 1c WRPM-006 positions this as a well-documented mid-range entry in the repunched mintmark catalog for this date. The 1948-D Wheat Cent was produced during the postwar period when Denver Mint cent production was substantial, and the continued use of hand-punched mintmarks ensured a steady supply of RPM varieties for future collectors to discover.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: RPM #2, Coppercoins: 1948D-1MM-002
• CONECA: RPM #2, Coppercoins: 1948D-1MM-002; Wexler Variety ID: 1948-D 1¢ WRPM-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References