1987-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-004

Description

Cataloged as UVC-1016 and DMR-005, RPM-004 on the 1987-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents a three-stage die progression with a notable obverse characteristic in Stage B: east-west die scratches that serve as secondary die markers alongside the repunched mint mark itself. Stage A documents both obverse and reverse at early die state, Stage B captures the obverse and reverse at mid-die state with those distinctive east-west die scratches visible on the obverse, and Stage C records the late die state condition. The east-west die scratches in Stage B provide valuable attribution evidence beyond the mint mark repunching, offering a confirmation point that helps distinguish RPM-004 from the twelve other cataloged RPMs for this date. Die scratches typically result from abrasive maintenance procedures — polishing or cleaning the die face to extend its service life — and their orientation and location become fixed diagnostics for the specific die that bears them. For attributors, the combination of the repunched D and the directional die scratches creates a two-layer identification framework: first confirm the repunching pattern, then verify the scratch signature to lock in the variety number. Struck at Denver on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987-D mintage of 4,007,632,740 cents.

Die Markers

• UVC-1016
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Die scratches East-West on Obverse – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References