1943 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - D/D

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

This is the D/D repunched mint mark on the 1943-D Lincoln Wheat Cent. In this era every working die had its mint mark struck in by hand, and when the first blow landed too lightly or slightly off position the punch was simply applied again. The two impressions rarely line up exactly, so the finished die carries one D with a second showing as a ridge, an outline or a set of doubled edges beside it. Because the doubling is in the die rather than the strike, every coin from that die shows it in the same place, which is what separates a repunched mint mark from machine doubling. Examine the mint mark at 10x or more, looking at the extremities of the letter where the offset between the two punchings is widest. The 1943 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - D/D was struck at the Denver Mint as a cent in the Lincoln Wheat Cents 1909-1958 series. The obverse features Abraham Lincoln facing right, the first real person depicted on a U.S. circulating coin and the reverse displays two wheat stalks framing ONE CENT, symbolizing American agriculture. Struck on zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper for World War II ammunition. A few 1943 bronze cents were accidentally struck and are among the most famous U.S. error coins. The Denver Mint, which grew from an 1860s gold rush assay office, has served as a major production facility since 1906. Estimated market value ranges from $19 to $21K depending on grade and condition. Struck in zinc-coated steel, weighing 2.7 grams, 19.05 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #2715.

Cross References

FS-501