1961-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-021

Description

With nine die stages spanning the letters A through I across two die marriage records, RPM-021 on the 1961-D Lincoln Memorial Cent ranks among the most extensively documented RPM varieties in the series. Cataloged by VarietyVista under DMR-031 (UVC-794) and DMR-097 (UVC-3512), the repunching shows a D/D/D triple-punched mintmark displaced to the east on the serifs. Under the first pairing (DMR-031, UVC-794), Stage A carries an unconfirmed EDS classification. Stage B (EMDS) introduces a long die scratch from the D of UNITED to the middle of the rooftop. Stage C (MDS) reveals a light die crack over V.D.B., a long curving die scratch behind the lower shoulder, a die crack on column 1, a die chip on column 12, and a die chip on the right cornice. Stage D (LMDS) shows a large depression forming at the right eave. When the reverse was changed (DMR-097, UVC-3512), Stage E pairs the LMDS obverse with a fresh EDS reverse. Stage F advances to LDS obverse with an MDS reverse. Stage G finds the obverse at Very Late Die State (VLDS), with die chips on columns 1 and 11 at LDS, a die crack on column 2, a die chip on the back of the E of CENT, and a die break on the right cornice. Stage H (VLDS obverse) adds a die break outside the top of column 12 at VLDS. Stage I, also at VLDS, continues to show the die break outside the top of column 12 at VLDS. The nine-stage record across two die marriages captures an exceptionally long operational lifespan for a single obverse die, with the die pushed deep into VLDS territory across multiple consecutive stages before retirement.

Die Markers

• UVC-794
• DMR-031
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is EMDS
• Long die scratch from D of UNITED to middle of roof top – EMDS
• Stage C:
• Light die crack over V.D.B. – MDS
• Long curving die scratch behind lower shoulder
• Die crack on column # 1 – MDS
• Die chip on column #12
• Die chip on Right cornice
• Stage D:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Large depression at Right eave – LMDS
• UVC-3512
• DMR-097
• Stage E:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Reverse die changed – EDS
• Stage F:
• Obverse is LDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage G:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Die chip on column # 1 and 11 – LDS
• Die crack on column # 2
• Die chip on back of E of CENT
• Die break on Right cornice
• Stage H:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Die break outside top of column #12 – VLDS
• Stage I:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Die break outside top of column #12 – VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown, Paul Funaiole
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References