1972-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

A proof variety attributed by VarietyVista, RPM-002 for the 1972-S Lincoln Memorial cent shows an S/S North repunched mintmark — the secondary S punch positioned north of the primary, creating visible remnants of the earlier impression above the final mintmark. This variety is cataloged as UVC-1178 with die marriage reference DMR-007. The obverse die is identified as ODV-027a, which specifically indicates the absence of master die doubling (no MDO) — distinguishing it from the ODV-027b die used for RPM-001. The ODV-027a designation means this proof die descended from a lineage that does not carry the replacement master die's characteristic doubling, placing it among the minority of 1972 dies that trace back to the original (first) master die or to a different production path. Three documented die stages track the die's life: Stage A at early die state (EDS) with the die fresh and the repunched mintmark at its sharpest; Stage B at mid die state (MDS) showing moderate production wear; and Stage C at late die state (LDS) with advanced deterioration. As a proof variety, RPM-002 was produced under the controlled conditions of the San Francisco proof facility, where each coin receives multiple strikes from polished dies against polished planchets — a process that preserves the repunched mintmark detail with exceptional clarity, particularly in the early die state. The S/S North direction is identical to RPM-001, but the different obverse die variety (027a vs. 027b) and the proof status clearly distinguish these as products of entirely different die pairs operating in different production contexts within the same mint.

Die Markers

• UVC-1178
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Scott Brennan
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References