1949-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-007

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die marker codes UVC-330 and DMR-009, this 1949-S Lincoln Wheat Cent RPM-007 exhibits a repunched S mintmark from the San Francisco Mint, where the engraver's initial S punch placement deviated from the intended position, necessitating a corrective re-strike. Three die stages are documented: Stage A in early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B at mid-die-state (MDS), also unconfirmed; and Stage C with both obverse and reverse confirmed at late die state (LDS). The LDS confirmation for Stage C parallels the pattern seen in other 1949 RPM varieties from this batch, suggesting that late die state specimens may be the most commonly available examples for these mid-century Wheat Cent varieties — dies being used through their full service life before replacement. The S mintmark's curved geometry makes repunched S varieties particularly interesting diagnostically because the sinuous curves of the letter can produce complex overlap patterns where the secondary impression intersects the primary at varying angles along the letter's path, creating multiple diagnostic checkpoints around the S's contours. The 1949-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait, and the wheat ears reverse continued its service. The San Francisco Mint's 1949 cent production was smaller than the Denver or Philadelphia facilities, and the seventh cataloged RPM for the 1949-S documents the continued presence of mintmark positioning variations in San Francisco's die preparation process during the postwar era.

Die Markers

• UVC-330
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

External References