1953-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-018

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, this 1953-S Lincoln Wheat Cent RPM-018 from the San Francisco Mint tracks dramatic die deterioration escalation between Stage C and Stage D. Die markers UVC-499 / DMR-024: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B at MDS (unconfirmed); Stage C with obverse at LDS and a small die chip on the T of CENT at LDS; Stage D with obverse at VLDS, a heavy die crack from upper left wheat to rim at VLDS, and a heavy die gouge through the first U of UNUM. The jump from a single small die chip at Stage C to heavy cracking and heavy gouging at Stage D documents the rapid final-stage deterioration as a die approaches terminal failure. Composed of 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm, the 1953-S was struck during the final years of the Wheat Cent series as Brenner's iconic reverse design approached its fiftieth anniversary.

Die Markers

• UVC-499
• DMR-024
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Small die chip on T of CENT – LDS
• Stage D:
• Obverse is VLDS
• Heavy die crack upper Left wheat to rim – VLDS
• Heavy die gouge through first U of UNUM

External References