1959-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-019

Description

Indexed by VarietyVista with die classification numbers UVC-633 and DMR-028, this 1959-D Lincoln Memorial Cent RPM-019 features a D/D/D triple-punched mintmark with the secondary and tertiary impressions both displaced to the north — meaning the Denver Mint D was applied three times, with the first two attempts landing north of the final position before the third corrective punch achieved the desired placement. A triple RPM is significantly less common than a standard double-punched RPM because it requires three separate punch impressions, each imperfectly placed, creating a layered mintmark with three overlapping D images. Three documented die stages track production: Stage A with both obverse and reverse in early die state (EDS), Stage B in mid-die-state (MDS, unconfirmed), and Stage C in late die state (LDS, unconfirmed). The 1959-D Lincoln Memorial Cent is a historically significant issue as the inaugural year of Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which replaced the wheat ears reverse that had served since 1909. Struck at the Denver Mint in copper-plated zinc composition — actually, the 1959 cent was still struck in the traditional bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter, as the transition to zinc-core planchets did not occur until 1982. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait. The D/D/D North, North classification indicates both erroneous punches were displaced in the same direction, suggesting the engraver may have been working against a consistent positioning bias that required multiple corrections. The 1959 first-year Memorial Cent status adds historical significance to this already unusual triple-punched mintmark variety.

Die Markers

• UVC-633
• DMR-028
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References