1979-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Listed by VarietyVista as RPM-001 for the 1979-D Lincoln Memorial cent, this repunched mintmark variety displays a D/D Southeast orientation — meaning the initial mintmark punch was placed slightly to the southeast of its final position, leaving a visible trace of the first impression behind the corrected D. During this era, Denver's mintmark was applied by hand to each working die using a separate punch, and even slight misalignment between successive applications produced the doubled or shifted mintmark images that collectors prize. Die marker codes UVC-990 and DMR-002 serve as the variety's identification anchors across the VarietyVista tracking system. Three distinct die states have been documented: Stage A represents the early die state (unconfirmed), when the die was fresh and die markers were at their sharpest; Stage B shows the middle die state, characterized by numerous east-west die scratches across the obverse with corresponding mid-die-state wear on the reverse; and Stage C represents the late die state (unconfirmed), when progressive wear has softened all design elements and die markers. The progression from EDS through MDS to LDS reflects the natural degradation of a working die under sustained production use, and collectors should note that the repunched mintmark itself may appear progressively weaker in later die states as die wear and polishing reduce the visibility of the secondary impression. The 1979-D cent was struck from 95% copper planchets. Attribution by VarietyVista.

Die Markers

• UVC-990
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Numerous die scratches East-West on Obverse – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References