1953-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-019

Description

Displaying an unusual D/D/D triple-punched mintmark shifted both North and South, this 1953 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent RPM-019 documents at least three separate impressions of the D mintmark into the working die. VarietyVista assigns die markers UVC-472 and DMR-022 across three die states. In early-mid state, strong die scratches run northwest-southeast across the obverse, with a prominent scratch under GO of GOD, while the reverse shows early-mid characteristics. By mid-die state, a strong die crack develops on Lincoln's forehead and the reverse advances to late-mid condition. In late die state, a die chip forms at the east end of that forehead crack, and the reverse reaches full late state. Triple-punched mintmarks are less common than typical double punching, requiring the mint employee to reposition and strike the mintmark punch a third time. The progressive deterioration across all three stages — from scratches through cracks to chipping — provides a textbook example of die fatigue under production pressure at Denver.

Die Markers

• UVC-472
• DMR-022
• Stage A:
• Strong die scratch under GO of GOD – EMDS
• Die scratches Northwest-Southeast across Obverse
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• Strong die crack on forehead – MDS
• Reverse is LMDS
• Stage C:
• Die chip on East end of die crack on forehead – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References