1979 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Repunched Mintmark WRPM-002

Description

Cross-referenced as Coppercoins 1979D-1MM-003 and designated 1979-D 1¢ WRPM-002 by the Wexler Team, this repunched mintmark variety is notable for its documented reverse die change between Stage A and Stage B. The variety is tracked across two obverse stages and two reverse stages, with the reverse die replacement creating a distinct diagnostic break in the coin's die marker profile. Obverse Stage A exhibits a die gouge under Y in LIBERTY, a die scratch above T in LIBERTY, a die gouge in the lower date between 7 and 9, small die gouges right of the upper and lower E in WE, a die gouge below and left of the lower G in GOD, and a die scratch at Lincoln's eye. By Obverse Stage B, the gouge under Y in LIBERTY has weakened, the date gouge has diminished, and a new die gouge appears under the first right shoulder fold — reflecting progressive die wear. Reverse Stage A shows die gouges left of the upper A in STATES and surrounding E in E PLURIBUS UNUM, a die crack on upper column 1, and a die scratch running SSW from I in AMERICA. Reverse Stage B introduces an entirely different die: die gouges appear under U in UNITED, a N-to-S die scratch runs through the upper O in ONE, two parallel die scratches run SE from inside the left C in CENT, a die scratch connects D in UNITED to the first S in STATES, N-to-S scratches appear through the left memorial base, NE-to-SW scratches run through the right memorial base, and a small die crack forms at the right memorial base tip. This reverse die change mid-production provides collectors with two distinctly different reverses paired with the same repunched mintmark obverse. Attribution by the Wexler Team.

Cross References

• Coppercoins: 1979D-1MM-003; Wexler Variety ID: 1979-D 1¢ WRPM-002

External References