1972-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Attributed by VarietyVista, RPM-001 for the 1972-S Lincoln Memorial cent is a regular strike displaying an S/S North repunched mintmark — meaning the secondary S impression sits north (above) of the primary S mintmark, visible as a trace of the earlier punch position protruding from the top of the final S. This variety is cataloged as UVC-981 with die marriage reference DMR-002 in the VarietyVista system. The obverse die is identified as ODV-027b, which carries master die doubling (MDO) — specifically, this die does NOT show the die gouge in the upper S of TRUST that serves as the primary diagnostic for identifying master die doubling on 1972 cents. The absence of this gouge combined with the MDO designation indicates the die still descends from the replacement master die created around April/May 1972, but can be distinguished from ODV-027a dies through other characteristics. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A represents the early die state (EDS) when the die was fresh; Stage B is the late-mid die state (LMDS), characterized by die cracks developing on columns 1, 2, 10, 11, and 12 of the Memorial reverse; and Stage C represents the late die state (LDS) showing further deterioration. The progressive development of die cracks on the Memorial columns provides collectors with a built-in die-state identification system: the number and extent of column cracks indicates how far into its production life the die had progressed when a given specimen was struck. For the regular strike 1972-S cent — available only through mint sets — the lower overall mintage means fewer total coins exist from each die, making later die states potentially quite scarce.

Die Markers

• UVC-981
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Die cracks on columns # 1, # 2, #10, #11, and #12 – LMDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References