1969-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

Cataloged as UVC-932 and DMR-003 in the VarietyVista system, RPM-002 on the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial cent is one of the most thoroughly documented repunched mint marks for this date, with five confirmed die states spanning the die's entire productive life. Stage A represents Early Die State with no secondary diagnostics beyond the repunch itself — an ideal attribution specimen, though unconfirmed survivors make it the rarest stage. Stage B introduces a small die dent beneath Lincoln's lapel on the obverse, while both surfaces exhibit Mid Die State characteristics. By Stage C, Late-Mid Die State fatigue has set in on both sides. Stage D marks the onset of serious decline: die scratches running southeast through the 1 of the date become prominent on the obverse, with the reverse showing corresponding Late Die State wear. The terminal Stage E — Very Late Die State (VLDS) — is identified by a die crack in the hair area to the west of WE on the obverse, a definitive marker that the die had reached its operational limit. This five-stage progression provides researchers with an unusually complete record of die deterioration under San Francisco's 1969 production conditions, when the facility was simultaneously producing both business-strike and proof coinage. Specialists building die-state sets of 1969-S RPMs will find RPM-002 among the most rewarding to pursue because each stage offers distinct and easily confirmed diagnostics.

Die Markers

• UVC-932
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Small die dent under lapel – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LMDS
• Stage D:
• Die scratches Southeast through 1 of date – LDS
• Reverse is LDS
• Stage E:
• Die crack in hair to the W of WE – VLDS
• Reverse is VLDS

External References