1973-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

Listed by VarietyVista as 1973-S RPM-002, this is the second documented repunched mint mark variety found on proof Lincoln Memorial cents from the San Francisco Mint. Like RPM-001, the repunching direction is S/S North — the initial mint mark punch was placed slightly south of its final position, leaving a secondary "S" impression partially visible beneath the primary mint mark. Despite sharing the same directional displacement as RPM-001, RPM-002 is confirmed as a distinct die through its unique die marker profile and different Universal Variety Code assignment: UVC-1154 with Die Marker Reference DMR-004. The critical diagnostic feature distinguishing RPM-002 from its counterpart is found in the Early Die State (EDS): two short parallel die gouges located in front of Lincoln's lower vest on the obverse. These gouges serve as a definitive attribution marker, allowing specialists to identify this specific die even when the repunched mint mark displacement is subtle or partially obscured by strike characteristics. The reverse in EDS also carries its own identifying markers. Three die stages have been cataloged — Stage A (EDS), Stage B (MDS), and Stage C (LDS) — documenting the progression of die deterioration from fresh to worn. As a proof variety, RPM-002 benefits from the enhanced surface quality of proof striking, where the polished planchet and multiple-impression striking process yield sharp, well-defined design elements that make both the repunched mint mark and the die markers easier to detect under magnification. Two proof RPM varieties for a single date reflects the fact that San Francisco employed multiple die pairs even for its relatively limited proof production, and mint mark application — a manual process during this era — introduced the possibility of positional error each time a new die was prepared.

Die Markers

• UVC-1154
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Two short parallel die gouges in front lower vest – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References