1935-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1935-D 1¢ WRPM-003 and cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #3 and Coppercoins 1935D-1MM-003, this Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a repunched mintmark with two documented die stages revealing the progressive weakening of the variety's diagnostic features. In Stage A, the obverse shows a die gouge at the left lower bottom of the O in GOD, two northwest-to-southeast die scratches above the eyelid, and similar directional scratches at the left upper and middle portions of the 9 in the date — markers that fingerprint this specific working die. The reverse in Stage A displays short die scratches extending clockwise from the rim between the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Stage B documents the evolution: the secondary mintmark impression weakens, the Stage A markers diminish in visibility, and the reverse die scratches contract to show only in the 12 o'clock area — a progression consistent with die polishing or wear that gradually reduced the surface features over the die's service life. The Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Denver Mint in 1935 during the Great Depression, produced in the standard bronze composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse Lincoln portrait that has served continuously since 1909. The two-stage documentation provides collectors with a progression timeline for this die, where earlier strikes (Stage A) preserve stronger RPM details and more prominent die markers, while later strikes (Stage B) show diminished features as the die accumulated use and maintenance.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lloyd Hanson Cross References: CONECA: RPM #3, Coppercoins: 1935D-1MM-003
• CONECA: RPM #3, Coppercoins: 1935D-1MM-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1935-D 1¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References