1953-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, this San Francisco Mint 1953-S Lincoln Wheat Cent RPM-002 progresses through five stages with die crack development concentrated in the wheat stalk reverse design. Die markers UVC-478 / DMR-003: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with obverse at MDS and die crack in lower right wheat to rim at MDS; Stage C with obverse at LMDS and die break in lower right wheat to rim at LMDS; Stage D with light die crack in hair at LDS, light die crack on forehead, minute die chip in left wheat lines at LDS, and die chip on T of CENT; Stage E with obverse at VLDS, die crack south from chip in left wheat lines at LDS, and stronger die chips on reverse. The progression from a Stage B die crack to a Stage C die break in the same right wheat location documents a fracture expanding into a full separation. Struck in 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm, the 1953-S had a mintage of approximately 181.8 million pieces.

Die Markers

• UVC-478
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Die crack lower Right wheat to rim – MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Die break lower Right wheat to rim – LMDS
• Stage D:
• Light die crack in hair – LDS
• Light die crack on forehead
• Minute die chip in Left wheat lines – LDS
• Die chip on T of CENT
• Stage E:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Die crack South from chip in Left wheat lines – LDS
• Stronger die chips on Reverse

External References