1971-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-011

Description

Returning to the business strike format after a long sequence of proof RPMs, RPM-011 on the 1971-S Lincoln Memorial cent documents an S/S South displacement on a circulation-issue die — one of only three business strike RPMs in the twelve-variety catalog (alongside RPM-001 and RPM-002), reflecting the relative rarity of documented repunching on 1971-S dies destined for circulating coinage compared to the proof die population. Attributed by VarietyVista as UVC-1171 with DMR-014, the variety's die state progression shows Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed), Stage B with both obverse and reverse at MDS, and Stage C at LDS (unconfirmed) — the confirmed MDS designation for Stage B indicating that documented specimens exist in mid-die-state condition. The obverse die variant ODV-027 identifies the normal tie configuration, distinguishing this business strike die from the re-engraved tie (ODV-028) that predominates among the proof RPMs. The S/S South displacement indicates the initial mintmark punch landed north of the intended position, with the corrective second blow driving the S southward and leaving traces of the first impression visible above the final mintmark placement. As a business strike variety, RPM-011 entered general circulation through San Francisco's distribution channels, subjecting surviving specimens to the wear and environmental exposure that circulating coins endure — a contrast to the proof RPMs that were immediately sealed in collector packaging. For collectors pursuing the complete 1971-S RPM set, RPM-011's business strike origin means it must be sourced from circulation finds, roll searching, or the secondary market rather than from proof sets, adding a different dimension to the collecting challenge.

Die Markers

• UVC-1171
• DMR-014
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Eric Axtell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References