1961-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-020

Description

Featuring an evolving secondary mintmark and extensive reverse architectural damage, RPM-020 on the 1961-D Lincoln Memorial Cent is cataloged by VarietyVista across two die marriage records — DMR-029 (UVC-792) and DMR-030 (UVC-793) — with five die stages. Under the first pairing (DMR-029, UVC-792), Stage A identifies the variety in Early Die State (EDS) with a notable diagnostic observation: no outside lower loop is visible for the secondary mintmark at this stage. Additional reverse markers include a die chip on the left baseline at LDS, a die chip at the left upper base, a die break at the top of the right cornice with no die crack yet connecting the cornice to the roof, and a die chip on the E of CENT. Stage B advances to Mid Die State (MDS) and reveals that the outside lower loop of the secondary mintmark has now become visible — an unusual case where the secondary mintmark impression became more apparent as the die wore, rather than less. A die crack connecting the right cornice to the roof has also developed at MDS. Stage C (LMDS obverse) adds a small die chip at the left base tip at MDS, a die break on column 12, and a die crack on column 1. Stage D (LDS obverse) sees the left base tip die chip grow to medium size at VLDS, with a stronger die crack on column 1. When the reverse was changed (DMR-030, UVC-793), Stage E shows the obverse at VLDS with die cracks forming northwest on the shoulder, over the ear to the forehead, and in the hair, paired with a fresh EMDS reverse. The progressive appearance of the secondary mintmark from invisible to visible across Stages A and B is a particularly noteworthy diagnostic phenomenon.

Die Markers

• UVC-792
• DMR-029
• Stage A:
• No outside lower loop for secondary mintmark – EDS
• Die chip on left base line – LDS
• Die chip at Left upper base
• Die break at top of Right cornice
• No die crack connecting Right cornice to roof
• Die chip on E of CENT
• Stage B:
• Outside lower loop for secondary mintmark – MDS
• Die crack connecting Right cornice to roof – MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Small die chip at Left base tip – MDS
• Die beak on column #12
• Die crack on column # 1
• Stage D:
• Obverse is LDS
• Medium die chip at left base tip – VLDS
• Stronger die crack on column # 1
• UVC-793
• DMR-030
• Stage E:
• Die crack Northwest on shoulder – VLDS
• Die crack over ear to forehead
• Die crack in hair
• Reverse die changed – EMDS

External References