1961-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-011
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Description
Sharing die marriage attribution with RPM-008, the RPM-011 variety on the 1961-D Lincoln Memorial Cent is cataloged by VarietyVista under the same UVC-776 and DMR-013 designations, representing a distinct die stage sequence from the same obverse die. Five die stages track this die's progression through a range of deterioration markers. Stage A begins at Early Die State (EDS), though this classification remains unconfirmed. Stage B similarly carries an unconfirmed Mid Die State (MDS) designation. By Stage C, both the obverse and reverse have reached Late Die State (LDS), confirming that the die has passed well beyond its mid-life service period. Stage D introduces distinctive diagnostic features at LDS: die scratches running east-west through both the date and mintmark areas, with the reverse also at LDS. These east-west scratches through the date and mintmark are notable because they cut across the very features that variety collectors examine most closely, potentially complicating attribution of the repunching on heavily worn specimens. Stage E documents the terminal phase at Very Late Die State (VLDS), where the east-west die scratches have worn away — erased by the continued erosion of the die surface — while a new die chip has formed on Memorial column 12 at VLDS. The disappearance of die scratches between Stages D and E provides an instructive example of how die surface features can be transient, appearing at one stage and vanishing at the next as the die steel continues to degrade under production pressures.
Die Markers
- UVC-776
- DMR-013
- Stage A:
- EDS (unconfirmed)
- Stage B:
- MDS (unconfirmed)
- Stage C:
- Obverse and Reverse are LDS
- Stage D:
- Die scratches East-West through date and mintmark – LDS
- Reverse is LDS
- Stage E:
- Die scratches worn away – VLDS
- Die chip on column #12 – VLDS