1954-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-009

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die marker codes UVC-524 and DMR-014, this 1954-S Lincoln Wheat Cent RPM-009 exhibits a repunched S mintmark where the San Francisco Mint engraver's initial mintmark punch placement required correction, leaving traces of the first impression visible adjacent to the final S position. Three die stages are documented: Stage A with both obverse and reverse in early die state (EDS); Stage B at mid-die-state (MDS), unconfirmed; and Stage C at late die state (LDS), also unconfirmed. The EDS designation for Stage A means specimens from this earliest documented state show the repunched mintmark with maximum clarity before any progressive die wear could diminish the visibility of the secondary S impression. The 1954-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in the standard bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. The San Francisco facility's mintmark application process during the 1950s used small steel letter punches bearing the S that were individually hammered into each working die — a manual procedure where even experienced engravers occasionally required a second punch to achieve proper positioning. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the wheat ears reverse design was in its 46th year of service in 1954, approaching the end of its production run before being replaced by the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. The 1954-S had a comparatively moderate mintage within the late Wheat Cent era. Examination under 10x magnification focused on the mintmark area below Lincoln's bust on the reverse reveals the direction and magnitude of the S repunching that defines this ninth cataloged RPM for the date-mint combination.

Die Markers

• UVC-524
• DMR-014
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References