1959-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-016

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die identifier UVC-630 and die marker reference DMR-025, the 1959-D RPM-016 documents a repunched mintmark on a first-year Lincoln Memorial Cent from the Denver Mint. Repunched mintmarks occurred when a small steel letter punch bearing the D was hammered into the working die by hand, and a slight misalignment on the initial strike required a corrective second impression — leaving remnants of the first punch visible alongside the final placement. Three die stages have been recorded for this variety: Stage A presents both obverse and reverse in early die state (EDS), capturing the die pair near the beginning of its production run; Stage B is classified as mid-die-state (MDS), though this remains unconfirmed; and Stage C is listed as late die state (LDS), also unconfirmed. The die stage progression from EDS through MDS to LDS traces the working die's entire service life, with each stage potentially revealing additional die scratches, cracks, or deterioration markers that accumulated through millions of striking cycles. The 1959 date holds special significance as the inaugural year for Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial reverse, which replaced the wheat ears design that had served since 1909. Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait of Abraham Lincoln continued unchanged. Struck in the standard bronze composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, the 1959-D cent weighs 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. The Denver Mint's 1959 cent production was substantial, reflecting robust demand for the new Memorial design. Collectors seeking this RPM should examine the mintmark area under 10x magnification, looking for traces of the initial D impression displaced from the final position.

Die Markers

• UVC-630
• DMR-025
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References