1973-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Attributed by VarietyVista as 1973-S RPM-001, this repunched mint mark variety appears on proof Lincoln Memorial cents struck at the San Francisco Mint. The repunching shows as S/S with the secondary impression displaced to the north — meaning the initial "S" mint mark punch was placed slightly lower (southward) on the die before the final, dominant impression was applied in its correct position above it. The result is a faint ghost image or partial remnant of the first "S" visible below the primary mint mark on finished specimens. As a proof issue, this variety was struck on specially prepared planchets using polished dies with multiple strikes at higher pressure, producing the mirror-like fields and frosted design elements characteristic of San Francisco proof coinage. The VarietyVista attribution system assigns this variety the Universal Variety Code UVC-988 and Die Marker Reference DMR-002, providing standardized cross-reference numbers for collector and dealer communication. Three distinct die states have been documented: Stage A in Early Die State (EDS), Stage B in Mid Die State (MDS), and Stage C in Late Die State (LDS). These progressive die states allow collectors to place their specimens along the die's working life, with earlier states typically showing sharper die markers and crisper design details, while later states may exhibit evidence of die wear, flow lines, or incipient cracking. The proof strike format makes this variety especially appealing to specialists, as the mirrored fields provide excellent contrast for viewing the repunched mint mark details under magnification. Proof RPM varieties are generally scarcer than their business strike counterparts because proof mintages are substantially lower than circulation production figures.

Die Markers

• UVC-988
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References