1949-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-003

Description

Cataloged as RPM-003 in the VarietyVista system with identifiers UVC-326 and DMR-005, this 1949 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a repunched S mintmark. Four die stages are documented: Stage A is an early die state unconfirmed by specimen; Stage B at early-to-mid die state shows a die clash from the N of CENT at the throat along with medium north-south die scratches across the obverse; Stage C at mid-die state displays weakened obverse and reverse scratches; Stage D at late die state is unconfirmed. The die clash from the reverse N of CENT transferring to the obverse throat area provides a notable secondary diagnostic beyond the repunched mintmark itself. No cross-references to the Cherrypickers' Guide are noted, and the specific direction of the repunch is not recorded. San Francisco Lincoln Wheat Cents from the late 1940s were produced in moderate quantities, and repunched mintmarks from this era reflect the hand-punching process where each working die received its S mintmark individually, with any misalignment creating the overlapping image that defines this error type.

Die Markers

• UVC-326
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die clash from N of CENT at throat – EMDS
• Medium die scratches North-South over Obverse
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage C:
• Weak Obverse and Reverse die scratches – MDS
• Stage D:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References