Roll Notes: 1961-D Lincoln Cent – RPM-038

This 1961-D Lincoln cent turned up in a customer-wrapped roll last week. Under magnification, the Denver mintmark showed clear characteristics that match RPM-038 as listed by Wexler.

The primary diagnostic on this variety is the letter fragment visible beneath the mintmark. On this coin, you can see the distinct underlying impression extending from below the D, which is the defining marker for RPM-038. This feature is what makes the attribution possible in the first place.

The mintmark position relative to the date is used as a secondary confirmation. When trying to pin down a RPM distinction, this location is one of the easiest ways to rule out the wrong ones.

Repunched mintmarks like this were created when the mintmark was punched into the working die more than once, slightly offset. By 1961, the Mint had already improved its processes, making true RPMs from this era less common than earlier examples.

This coin is well circulated and not valuable in this condition. It’s not something that would make sense to submit or sell as an attributed piece. But the fact that it’s still floating around in circulation after roughly 65 years makes it a fantastic find.

Coins like this are a good reminder that roll hunting isn’t just about value. It’s about training your eye, learning what real diagnostics look like, and occasionally pulling something genuinely interesting out of pocket change.