1982-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1982-D 1-cent WRPM-003, this Lincoln Memorial Cent was struck on a Large Date Bronze planchet — one of the transitional compositions used during 1982, the year the U.S. Mint switched from solid bronze (95% copper, 5% zinc) weighing 3.11 grams to copper-plated zinc weighing 2.5 grams, making the specific planchet type an essential attribution detail for 1982 varieties. No external cross-references beyond the Wexler listing are currently known. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge appearing as a dot to the right of the top of the E in WE, and parallel die scratches running ENE from the bowtie — Lincoln's characteristic neckwear providing a reliable reference feature for locating directional die scratches. The reverse exhibits a die scratch running NNE from the bottom of the 3rd column of the Lincoln Memorial, one of twelve columns in Frank Gasparro's architectural reverse design that serve as precise positional references for attributing die markers. The 1982-D designation indicates production at the Denver Mint, which produced cents in both bronze and zinc compositions during the transition year, requiring collectors to weigh specimens or perform visual tests to determine composition before proceeding with variety attribution. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The repunched mintmark on this variety documents the final years of manual D mintmark punch application at the Denver facility, as the Mint transitioned to incorporating mintmarks directly into master dies beginning in 1990 — a change that eliminated repunched mintmark varieties entirely from subsequent coinage. The 19.05 mm diameter remained constant across both 1982 compositions.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jim Hair Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1982-D 1¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References