1972-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

First in the VarietyVista repunched mintmark sequence for the 1972-D Lincoln Memorial cent, RPM-001 displays a D/D West orientation — the secondary mintmark impression positioned to the west of the primary D, documenting a lateral misplacement during the hand-punching process at the Denver Mint. Die markers UVC-963 and DMR-002 identify this specific working die, which progressed through four documented stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid-die state on both obverse and reverse, Stage C showing die clash marks from the numeral 1 to the vest area and behind the bust at mid-die state, and Stage D where the clash marks have been abraded away in late die state with the reverse at late-mid die state. The clash-then-abrasion sequence between Stages C and D records the Mint's maintenance intervention — when clash marks became severe enough to affect coin quality, technicians would abrade the die surface to remove the transferred impressions, a process that also weakened other die features and accelerated progression toward late die state. The obverse is classified as ODV-027a, the version without master die doubling obverse (no MDO), which distinguishes it from the more common ODV-027b dies that carry the ubiquitous 1972 master die doubling. The D/D West orientation indicates the mintmark punch was first applied west of its intended final position, then corrected with a second, stronger blow at the proper location — leaving the ghost of the first impression visible to the west as a secondary D beneath or beside the primary. Comments note this obverse is ODV-027a with no MDO, confirming the die was prepared from one of the working hubs that did not inherit the master die's doubled impression.

Die Markers

• UVC-963
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Die clash from 1 to vest and behind bust – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage D:
• Die clash abraded away – LDS
• Reverse is LMDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References