1972-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-003

Description

The third documented repunched mintmark for the 1972-S Lincoln Memorial cent, RPM-003 is a proof variety attributed by VarietyVista displaying an S/S Rotated CCW direction — meaning the secondary S impression was punched in a counterclockwise-rotated orientation relative to the primary S mintmark. This rotational misalignment distinguishes RPM-003 from the straight northward displacement seen in RPM-001 and RPM-002: rather than a simple vertical offset, the secondary punch landed at an angle, creating distinctive overlap geometry visible as rotated traces at the edges of the final mintmark. The variety is cataloged as UVC-2918 with die marriage reference DMR-010. The obverse die is identified as ODV-027b, indicating the presence of master die doubling (MDO) — the same obverse die variety designation as RPM-001's regular strike, though applied here to a proof die. The critical diagnostic note states there is no die gouge in the upper S of TRUST on this die; while this might seem to contradict the MDO designation, it actually reflects the complexity of 1972 die identification where master die doubling can be confirmed through characteristics other than the S-of-TRUST gouge. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A at early die state (EDS) with crisp rotated-S detail; Stage B at mid die state (MDS); and Stage C at late die state (LDS) showing progressive loss of the secondary mintmark detail. The counterclockwise rotation of the secondary punch makes RPM-003 mechanically interesting: it demonstrates that the mintmark punch was not only displaced in position but also in angular orientation during the secondary impression — an error requiring two simultaneous misalignment parameters (position and rotation) rather than the single parameter (position only) needed for a straight-direction RPM.

Die Markers

• UVC-2918
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References