1944 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - D/S

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Description

This is the D/S over mint mark on the 1944-D Lincoln Wheat Cent, where a D was punched over an existing S. Dies were prepared with a mint mark before they were sent out, and when demand shifted a die already marked for San Francisco could be reassigned to Denver. Rather than scrap it, the receiving mint punched its own letter over the one already there. Traces of the S survive wherever its shape falls outside the D that covers it, so the diagnostic is the geometry of the two letters rather than doubling as such. Unlike a repunched mint mark, which shows one letter struck twice, an over mint mark shows two different letterforms occupying the same place. The 1944 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent - D/S represents a Denver Mint issue from 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 recycled brass shell casings from the war effort, returning to a copper-based alloy. A few 1944 steel cents exist as transitional errors. 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 $61 to $860 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 95% copper, 5% zinc, weighing 3.11 grams, 19.05 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #2726.