PART II. Die Varieties:

Tilted Mintmark

Definition:  This die variety would be more accurately termed a “tilted mintmark punch”.  If a hand-held mintmark punch is not perfectly vertical, the letter will be punched into the die face at an angle.  The result is a letter that is strong on one side and weak or absent on the other.  The portion of the letter struck by the elevated side of the punch will also be thinner than normal.  Most tilted mintmarks were corrected by a second punch and are therefore repunched mintmarks as well.

The S-mintmark on this 1950-S cent is strong at the top but fades out at the bottom.  It may be the result of a tilted mintmark punch.  It’s often difficult to distinguish between the effects of a tilted mintmark punch and the effects of uneven, intentional die abrasion.  The latter can also result in a letter that thins out and fades out on one side.

This 1987-D cent has a repunched mintmark that is listed by coppercoins.com as 1987D-1MM-003.  Both times the letter punch was driven in at an angle.  The partial mintmark on the left side fades out toward the right, while the partial mintmark on the right side fades out toward the left.  Together they make for a respectable composite letter.  Photo courtesy of Charles Daughtrey and Coppercoins.com.