1970 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Repunched Mintmark RPM-003

Description

RPM-003 is a repunched mintmark on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent. The "Serifs" qualifier indicates that the evidence of multiple punching is most readily visible at the serif extensions of the D character, where the angular terminations of the letterform are least likely to overlap perfectly when the punch shifts position between strikes. Cataloged as UVC-936 and DMR-004 in the VarietyVista system, this variety's three die states chart a straightforward progression from initial service to terminal fatigue. Stage A at Early Die State remains unconfirmed, a pattern seen across many VarietyVista RPM listings where the earliest die impressions are the hardest to locate because the variety had not yet been recognized when those coins were first handled. Stage B presents both surfaces at Mid Die State, with the triple-punched serifs still clearly attributable against the background of moderate die wear. By Stage C, both obverse and reverse have reached Late Die State, where the cumulative effects of die fatigue and metal flow begin to soften the very serif details that define this variety's identity. Collectors targeting RPM-003 should focus on Stage B specimens for the clearest display of the D/D/D Serifs characteristic, as MDS surfaces offer the optimal balance between sufficient wear to reveal all three punch impressions and enough remaining detail to distinguish them from each other and from normal die deterioration artifacts.

Die Markers

• UVC-936
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

External References