1938-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-011

Description

Eleventh documented repunched mintmark for the 1938 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, WRPM-011 (Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D 1¢ WRPM-011) continues the substantial RPM catalog for this pre-World War II date. The 1938-D cent's mintage of 20.01 million was modest compared to Philadelphia's output, yet the date has yielded eleven distinct RPMs — a count reflecting both the nature of hand-punched mintmark application and the thoroughness of modern variety research. Die preparation at Denver in 1938 followed the same procedures established decades earlier: each working die arrived from Philadelphia without a mintmark, and Denver engravers added the D using a letter punch and hammer. WRPM-011 documents one of the dies where this process required adjustment, leaving traces of the initial impression on every coin struck from that die. The late 1930s represent the twilight of an era — within a few years, wartime demands would transform Mint operations, and the gradual mechanization of mintmark application would render hand-punching obsolete. Each 1938-D RPM variety preserves a moment from that era of manual craftsmanship. Attributed solely through the Wexler system. Cataloged by the Wexler Team.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Eric Axtell Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1938-D 1¢ WRPM-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References