1948-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-035

Description

Displaying a D/D tilted (rotated) repunched mintmark, WRPM-035 for the 1948-D Lincoln wheat cent carries an extensive set of die markers documented by the Wexler Team under the designation 1948-D 1¢ WRPM-035, with no additional cross-references in other cataloging systems. The obverse die bears multiple identifying features: a die scratch running northeast from the top of the numeral 4 in the date, a die scratch running southwest from the top of the numeral 1, and three die scratches running north from the bridge of the nose and lower forehead on Lincoln's portrait. The reverse die adds two more diagnostics: a short die gouge in a southwest-to-northeast orientation to the left of the P in PLURIBUS and a short die scratch running east-northeast from the lower C in AMERICA. This abundance of die markers -- five on the obverse and two on the reverse -- provides an unusually comprehensive fingerprint for authenticating this die pair, reducing the risk of misattribution that can occur when collectors rely on the repunched mintmark alone without confirming the companion die markers. The tilted RPM configuration means the second mintmark punch application was rotated slightly relative to the first, producing angular divergence visible as portions of the underlying D extending at angles inconsistent with the final mintmark orientation. Denver struck 172,637,500 wheat cents in 1948, and the manual mintmark application process used during this era made every Denver and San Francisco die a candidate for repunching, as the hand-driven punch could shift between blows due to operator movement, die surface irregularities, or simple human imprecision.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1948-D 1¢ WRPM-035
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References