1973-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-005

Description

The fifth entry in the Wexler repunched mintmark catalog for the 1973-D Lincoln Memorial cent, WRPM-005 (Wexler Variety ID: 1973-D 1¢ WRPM-005) documents another instance of mintmark repunching from the Denver Mint's 1973 production. The existence of five Wexler-attributed RPMs for a single date — in addition to the four VarietyVista-attributed varieties that may or may not overlap with the Wexler numbering — illustrates the frequency with which the manual mintmark application process produced positioning errors during this era of United States Mint operations. The hand-punching procedure required a skilled technician to align a letter punch bearing the D mintmark over the correct location on each working die and strike it with sufficient force to impress the letter into the hardened steel surface. Any movement of the punch between multiple blows, misalignment of the initial placement requiring repositioning, or uneven seating of the punch against the curved die surface could produce the secondary impressions that define a repunched mintmark. WRPM-005 represents one such event — a specific 1973-D obverse die where the mintmark application process left visible evidence of multiple punch impressions or positional corrections. The continued production of RPM varieties through 1973 demonstrates that the Mint had not yet implemented the mechanical processes for mintmark application that would eventually eliminate hand-punching errors in later decades. For collectors assembling comprehensive variety sets of 1973-D Lincoln cents, WRPM-005 represents the current upper boundary of the Wexler RPM catalog for this date, though additional undocumented varieties likely exist among the large surviving population of 1973 Denver cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ken Chylinski Cross-References: CONECA: RPM #2, Coppercoins: 1973D-1MM-007 Comments: This is a replacement variety. The original WRPM-005 was the damaged mint mark punch. Photos Needed
• Wexler Variety ID: 1973-D 1¢ WRPM-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References