1988-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-008

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as RPM-008 with die markers UVC-1152 and DMR-009, this 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent repunched mintmark extends the date's already robust RPM census into its eighth documented variety. A repunched mintmark occurs when the engraver strikes the mintmark punch into the working die more than once, with slight misalignment between impressions — a process inherent to the manual mintmark application that the U.S. Mint employed through 1989. Three die states are recorded for this variety: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid-die state (confirmed), and Stage C in late die state (unconfirmed). The confirmed mid-die state documentation provides the primary attribution evidence, while the unconfirmed early and late die state stages await further photographic verification from collectors. Because manual punching was approaching its final years — replaced by hub-applied mintmarks beginning in 1990 — each newly cataloged 1988-D RPM adds to the historical record of a centuries-old die preparation technique in its twilight. Struck at the Denver Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Die Markers

• UVC-1152
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References