1962-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-005
Error
Description
Distinguished by the evolution of its mintmark visibility across die stages, the 1962-D Lincoln Memorial Cent RPM-005 is cataloged by VarietyVista under two die marriage records that reflect a reverse die change during production. The initial pairing, UVC-856 / DMR-006, begins with Stage A in early die state (EDS) where the secondary mintmark is described as strong — readily apparent to the unaided eye or at minimal magnification. By Stage B (MDS), the obverse has progressed and small die chips have appeared on column #12 of the reverse. Stage C (LDS) is particularly significant: the secondary mintmark has weakened to the point of being difficult to discern, die breaks have developed on column #12, and a die chip has formed on the right cornice. This progressive fading of the repunched mintmark from strong in EDS to weak in LDS illustrates how continued die wear and polishing can erode the very feature that defines the variety, making early die state specimens considerably more desirable for attribution purposes. The reverse die was then changed, creating a new pairing documented as UVC-857 / DMR-007. In Stage D, the secondary mintmark has further deteriorated to very weak, the replacement reverse begins in late die state (LDS), and a small die chip has appeared on column #12. The mintmark degradation trajectory from strong through weak to very weak provides a textbook illustration of how die maintenance progressively diminishes repunched mintmark evidence across a die's lifespan.
Die Markers
- UVC-856
- DMR-006
- Stage A:
- Strong secondary mintmark – EDS
- Reverse is EDS
- Stage B:
- Obverse is MDS
- Small die chips on column #12 – MDS
- Stage C:
- Weak secondary mintmark – LDS
- Die breaks on column #12 – LDS
- Die chip on Right cornice
- UVC-857
- DMR-007
- Stage D:
- Very weak secondary mintmark – VLDS
- Reverse die changed – LDS
- Small die chip on column #12