1968-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

The premier repunched mint mark variety for the 1968-D Lincoln cent, RPM-001 holds special historical significance as one of the first RPM varieties possible after the Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated mint marks from all U.S. coins for three years (1965—1967). When Congress restored mint marks in 1968, Denver Mint dies once again required a hand-punched D mint mark, and the inherent imprecision of manual mint mark application immediately generated the repunched varieties that had been absent since the 1964 coinage. Repunched mint marks occur when the engraver's punch does not land in precisely the same position on successive impressions, leaving traces of the first punch visible alongside the final, correctly positioned mark. RPM-001 is exceptionally well-documented, with die markers cataloged under UVC-912 and DMR-002 and an extraordinary five die stages recorded that trace the die's entire working life. Stage A represents the early die state (EDS), characterized by a die gouge northeast from the FG designer's initials on the reverse. Stage B transitions to mid die state (MDS), where a small die chip has developed on column #12 of the Lincoln Memorial. By Stage C (late-mid die state, LMDS), the deterioration has progressed significantly: a light die crack runs north-south through Lincoln's hair on the obverse, the die chip on column #12 has grown to medium size, an additional die chip appears on column #11, and a small die chip is visible on the right cornice of the Memorial. Stage D (late die state, LDS) shows die scratches running northeast across the obverse, a small die break has formed on column #12, and a depression has appeared at the right eave tip. Finally, Stage E (very late die state, VLDS) documents the die in its terminal condition: a die chip at the right eave tip, an additional die chip at the right eave, and die breaks on columns #1, #11, and #12 — a constellation of failures indicating imminent die retirement. This five-stage progression provides collectors with a complete narrative of one die's journey from fresh service to exhaustion, and specimens from each stage are collectible as distinct die state variants. Attributed by VarietyVista. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc at the Denver Mint.

Die Markers

• UVC-912
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Die gouge Northeast from FG – EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Small die chip on column #12 – MDS
• Stage C:
• Light die crack North-South in hair – LMDS
• Medium die chip on column #12 – LMDS
• Die chip on column #11
• Small die chip on Right cornice
• Stage D:
• Die scratches Northeast on Obverse – LDS
• Small die break on column #12 – LDS
• Depression at Right eave tip
• Stage E:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Die chip at Right eave tip – VLDS
• Die chip at Right eave
• Die break on column # 1, 11, and 12

External References