1971-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-003

Description

Most significant repunched mintmark in the 1971-S catalog, RPM-003 is a proof die variety carrying the Fivaz-Stanton designation FS-101 and sharing its obverse die with DDO-001 — making this a dual-variety die where both a repunched mintmark and a doubled die obverse originate from the same working die. The S/S South displacement shows the initial mintmark punch landing north of the intended position, with the corrective second punch shifting the S southward. Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-957 with DMR-005, the variety's die state progression reveals an unusual characteristic: in Stage A at EDS, the RPM does not yet show, though a die dent in bay 9 of the Memorial reverse is present. By Stage B at EMDS, the RPM becomes visible while light die scratches appear on Lincoln's vest — and notably, the bay 9 die dent has disappeared, likely polished out during die maintenance between the two stages. Stage C at LDS remains unconfirmed. This evolving die state narrative means that the earliest specimens struck from this die show the DDO-001 doubling without visible repunching, while slightly later specimens display both varieties simultaneously — a collecting distinction that adds die state study to the attribution challenge. The obverse die variant is ODV-028, the re-engraved tie variant, which independently confirms the die identity through the distinctive rework visible on Lincoln's bow tie. Finding a repunched mintmark on a proof die is itself noteworthy — proof dies received more careful preparation than business strike dies, yet the hand-punching process still introduced positioning errors that left telltale traces. The FS-101 designation confirms this variety meets the Cherrypickers Guide threshold for collector significance, and its dual-variety status with DDO-001 makes it one of the most attribution-rich proof cent dies of the early 1970s.

Die Markers

• UVC-957
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• RPM does not show – EDS
• Die dent in bay 9 – EDS
• Stage B:
• RPM shows – EMDS
• Light die scratches on vest
• Die dent is gone – EMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References