1952-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-018

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, the 1952-S RPM-018 Lincoln Wheat Cent displays an S/S West repunched mintmark where the initial S impression was placed slightly east of the intended position and a corrective second punch shifted the final placement westward, leaving the remnant of the first S visible to the east of the primary letter. Die markers UVC-451 / DMR-020 track three stages: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B at MDS featuring a die clash at the throat and in front of the 1 in the date on the obverse, with the reverse also at MDS; and Stage C at LDS (unconfirmed). The die clash documented in Stage B is particularly informative because the clashed design elements at Lincoln's throat and near the date digit reveal exactly where the reverse design transferred onto the obverse face during an unprotected die contact event — these transferred features can serve as secondary authentication markers beyond the primary RPM diagnostic. The Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1952, composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait, and the wheat ears reverse served from 1909 through 1958. San Francisco Mint production of cents during the early 1950s required each working die to receive its S mintmark through manual punch application at the Philadelphia Mint before shipment west, and the westward displacement on this variety documents one such correction event where the engraver recognized the initial placement was too far east and applied a second, properly positioned punch to establish the final mintmark location.

Die Markers

• UVC-451
• DMR-020
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die clash at throat and in front of 1 of date – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Paul Funaiole
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References