1949-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-042

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team, this 1949-D Wheat Cent WRPM-042 is a D/D Tilted repunched mintmark — a rotational repunching in which the second punch application landed with the mintmark oriented at a slight angle to the final position, leaving a tilted ghost impression adjacent to the primary D. The tilt creates a distinctive spread pattern that differs from the straightforward north-south or east-west displacements seen in most RPM varieties, making it recognizable once the collector understands what to look for. Three obverse die markers help pin down attribution: a cluster of northwest-to-southeast scratches sits above the right side of the second 9 in the date, a wavy east-to-west scratch cuts through the upper letters of GOD, and a lighter east-to-west scratch runs through the upper area of adjacent lettering. Die markers of this specificity serve double duty — they confirm the variety independently of mintmark examination and allow attribution of worn or softly struck examples where mintmark detail has been reduced. The 1949-D Wheat Cent was produced during the late Lincoln Cent wheat-reverse era and represents a moderately scarce date within that series. D/D Tilted (Rotated) Die Markers: Obverse: NW/SE die scratches above the right side of the second 9 in the date. Wavy E/W die scratch through the upper area of GOD. W-shaped die scratches show above the Y in LIBERTY. Reverse: Heavy NE/SW die scratches below the P and through the bottom of the first U in PLURIBUS. Right leaning X-shaped die scratches between the top of the T in CENT and the top left of the right wheat ear. NE/SW die scratch through the top of the first A in AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Mulberry Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1949-D 1¢ WRPM-042
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References