1956D US one cent: Shadowed D variety [Risolto]

The images at the top of N#908 show 1956D one cent coins with two varieties: “Re-punched mintmark (D over D)” and “Shadowed D”. In going through my wheat pennies today, I found one definite “Shadowed D” coin (the right-most image in the 1956D enlargeable image), with a farther-north-than normal “D” very close to the tail of the 9, and very lightly printed “D” south of that one, with no overlap. I may be able to post an image to show you what I see, but it looks similar to the right-most image in the 1956D enlargeable image.

The easy way to spot this difference appears to be a much farther north than usual “D” mint mark. It really stands out when I am looking at fifty 1956D coins laid out on the same cloth. 

Hi Jonesey.  If I understand correctly, you are asking for help in identifying which RPM corresponds to some of your 1956-D Lincoln Cents.

The pictures you are referring to on that Numista page only show RPM-1 and RPM-8.  But there are more than just 2 RPM's for the 1956-D Lincoln Cent.  There are 3 RPM's documented by PCGS and 4 documented RPM's on the Lincoln Cent Resource website.  See pictures from the references below.  

I think what you're describing may be RPM-16 (AKA “FS-502”) when you mention that it's very close to the "9" digit.  But without pictures, we can't provide any additional help.  Note that I have used the bold font below for the RPM-16 picture that I "think" you're describing in each reference below.

References:

• PCGS
  RPM-1 (FS-501):  https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-501-rd/37942
  RPM-16 (FS-502): https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-502-rd/569332
  RPM-8 (FS-508): https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-508-rd/37939

• The Lincoln Cent Resource
  Repunched Mintmarks (RPM's):  https://www.lincolncentresource.com/RPMS/RPMS.html
  RPM-16 (FS-502):  https://www.lincolncentresource.com/RPMS/1956Drpm16.html

I believe he has the one circled. We should change the text I crossed out.   

Good point.  I wasn't sure if he is referring to the Shadowed D (which is on the far right of your diagram) or if he's referring to FS-502 (which is a slightly different version of the Shadowed D).

TonyCoins

The pictures you are referring to on that Numista page only show RPM-1 and RPM-8.  But there are more than just 2 RPM's for the 1956-D Lincoln Cent.  There are 3 RPM's documented by PCGS and 4 documented RPM's on the Lincoln Cent Resource website.  See pictures from the references below.  

 

I think what you're describing may be RPM-16 (AKA “FS-502”) when you mention that it's very close to the "9" digit.  But without pictures, we can't provide any additional help.  Note that I have used the bold font below for the RPM-16 picture that I "think" you're describing in each reference below.

 

References:

 

• PCGS
  RPM-1 (FS-501):  https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-501-rd/37942
  RPM-16 (FS-502): https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-502-rd/569332
  RPM-8 (FS-508): https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1956-d-1c-rpm-fs-508-rd/37939

 

That is helpful. I have attached two images, the best I could do with my phone; I need a macro lens if I want to take good coin photos.

I am pretty sure that I have a “Shadowed D”, one mint mark close to the 9 and another faint one to the south, not overlapping. I put a red arrow in the first photo pointing to the shadow mark.

The second photo shows a 1956D with a mint mark that is farther north than usual, but even with magnification and good light, I see no evidence of a repunched mark either underneath the 9 or south of the D. I'm keeping the two coins I have like this, anyway. The rest of my 1956D coins had mint marks farther to the south.

Thanks for the pictures.  I do see something below the D Mint Mark in the first picture.  I can't tell for sure if it's a shadowed D, but it's possible.

I would humbly recommend the CPG (Cherrypickers' Guide) if you are interested in exploring die varieties for American coins.  It's a 3 volume book series.  If you're only interested in Lincoln Cents, those are covered in Volume 1.  TPG's (Third Party Grading companies) usually honor any die varieties that are documented in the CPG.  The CPG provides a baseline of known die varieties that collectors can explore without going too far deep into the weeds.

• Cherrypickers' Guide (Volumes 1-3)
  https://whitman.com/books-by-series/cherrypickers

I think the first picture is the Shadowed D variety. The second picture is just a normal D one.  You have to remember that at the time the master dies did not have mint mark letters on them. Dies made at the Philadelphia mint were shipped to the other mints. A mint worker would then select a lettered punch and a hammer and be told to punch the mint letter at this location.  Obviously since the mint mark letter is done by hand the exact location as well as the orientation of the mark can vary somewhat on different dies as well as the depth of the mark. For a penny such as the 1956D where 1.1 billion were made and assuming ½ million pennies per die (very generous) that would mean 2,200 obverse dies were used.  So, it is very normal to have mint mark letters different on different coins. Real varieties such ad RPM's are sometimes noted in the comment section and sometimes have their own year line.

@rsirian1 

Can you please make the CR?

Done

Thanks, everyone! This discussion has been enlightening.