1969-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Among the earliest documented repunched mint marks for the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial cent, RPM-001 carries the VarietyVista catalog identifiers UVC-931 and DMR-002, placing it near the beginning of the known die marriage roster for this date. Because San Francisco hand-punched its S mint mark into each working die individually during this era, minor positional inconsistencies between punches were inevitable — and when the engraver attempted a correction or second impression, the ghost of the initial placement remained as a telltale repunch visible under magnification. Four documented die states trace this die's service life from fresh to fatigued. In Stage A, both obverse and reverse surfaces present Early Die State characteristics — sharp strike, minimal flow lines, and no secondary marks. By Stage B, the die has progressed to Mid Die State, developing light die scratches running northeast through the date on the obverse while the reverse acquired a heavy die scratch extending from the upper E of ONE to the middle E of CENT. Stage C finds both surfaces in Late-Mid Die State, with the obverse die scratches weakening as metal flow fills them in. A tentative Stage D at Late Die State has been reported but remains unconfirmed, suggesting few specimens from the die's final impressions have surfaced. Collectors seeking to plate all four stages will find Stage A the most elusive, as early-state coins often entered circulation before the variety was recognized.

Die Markers

• UVC-931
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Light die scratches Northeast through date – MDS
• Heavy die scratch from upper E of ONE to middle E of CENT – MDS
• Stage C:
• Weak Obverse die scratches – LMDS
• Reverse is LMDS
• Stage D:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References