1938 (S) Lincoln Wheat Cent - Repunched Mintmark RPM-003

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, this San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent from the final year before World War II features strong reverse die gouges that progressively erode across four stages. Die markers UVC-071 / DMR-006: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with obverse at MDS and strong die gouges near reverse rim at K-7 position at EDS; Stage C with obverse at LDS and reverse die gouges almost worn away at MDS; Stage D with obverse at VLDS, reverse die gouges worn away at LMDS, die crack from right wheat to rim, and die crack northwest from upper E of ONE. The reverse die gouges being nearly fresh at EDS while the obverse is already at MDS suggests the reverse die was either newer or received less wear per strike. The late-state wheat-to-rim crack provides an attribution marker independent of the RPM. Composed of 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm.

Die Markers

• UVC-071
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Strong die gouges near Reverse rim at K-7 – EDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Reverse die gouges almost worn away – MDS
• Stage D:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Reverse die gouges worn away – LMDS
• Die crack Right wheat to rim
• Die crack Northwest from upper E of ONE

External References