1968-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Among the most extensively documented repunched mint mark varieties in the entire Lincoln Memorial cent series, WRPM-003 for the 1968-S cent is attributed by the Wexler team and cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #2 and Coppercoins 1968S-1MM-002. What distinguishes this variety from all others in this batch is the documentation of two distinct obverse die stages paired with two separate reverse dies, providing an unusually complete portrait of a single obverse die's working life across multiple pairings. The Stage A obverse displays NW/SE scratches in the U of TRUST and light N/S scratches in the fields — early characteristics of a die still in relatively fresh condition. The Stage B obverse shows considerably more advanced markers: a heavy die scratch extending from the nose, a series of scratches from the nose and forehead area, scratches below the chin, a NW scratch from the collar, and a very light die crack below the W of WE. This crack is particularly significant as it represents the beginning of structural failure in the die steel. The first reverse die (paired with the Stage A obverse) carries its own distinctive markers: a die gouge under the E in STATES, die pitting to the left of the second A in AMERICA, a die chip in the upper T of CENT, die chips in upper bay 1 of the Lincoln Memorial, die scratches through PLURIBUS and UNUM, and very weak designer's initials FG — the weakness of the initials suggesting either shallow initial engraving or early polishing that partially removed them. The second reverse die (paired with the Stage B obverse) exhibits an entirely different set of markers: N/S die scratches between the roof of the Memorial and the D of UNITED, a NW die scratch from the N in ONE, a die scratch running ESE from the R in AMERICA, and a die scratch running north from the right cornice to the M in AMERICA. The existence of two reverse dies confirms that the Mint re-paired this obverse die with a fresh reverse when the first reverse reached the end of its service life, a standard production practice that creates what variety collectors call a marriage — the specific combination of an obverse and reverse die at a given point in time. Struck at the San Francisco Mint on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Attribution History

• CONECA: RPM #2, Coppercoins: 1968S-1MM-002; Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 1¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References