1976-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1734 and DMR-004, this 1976-D Bicentennial Washington Quarter RPM-001 holds the primary catalog position for repunched mintmark varieties on this commemorative issue, indicating it was either the first documented or the most prominent RPM known for the Bicentennial quarter's Denver Mint production. Three die stages are recorded: Stage A in early die state (EDS), unconfirmed; Stage B at mid-die-state showing a die crack along the bust and the reverse reaching late die state (LDS); and Stage C at late die state (LDS), unconfirmed. The die crack along Washington's bust at Stage B provides a secondary attribution point that helps confirm the specific obverse die pairing beyond the primary RPM diagnostic on the reverse. The 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter features the special dual-dated 1776-1976 obverse and Jack L. Ahr's Colonial Drummer reverse design, selected through a national design competition to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. Struck at the Denver Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) weighing 5.67 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm, the Bicentennial quarter was produced in massive quantities throughout 1975 and 1976. The first-position RPM catalog placement on a high-mintage commemorative issue gives this variety particular collector appeal, as the Bicentennial design's widespread recognition and the coin's availability in circulation make it accessible to both beginning and advanced variety collectors. The hand-punched D mintmark on this issue documents the continued use of manual mintmark application at the Denver Mint into the mid-1970s, a process that would eventually be replaced by including the mintmark directly in the master die.

Die Markers

• UVC-1734
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die crack along bust – MDS
• Reverse is LDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References