1930-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-006

Description

Cataloged under UVC-122 and DMR-008 in the VarietyVista reference, the 1930-S Buffalo Nickel RPM-006 is a repunched mintmark variety of James Earle Fraser's design, featuring a Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. The Buffalo Nickel was struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, with the S mintmark applied by hand punch to individual working dies — an inherently variable process that generated numerous repunching events. Three die stages are documented. Stage A is early die state, unconfirmed. Stage B is mid-die state, confirmed, with a light die crack developing through the lower CENT of CENTS on the reverse and the obverse in mid-die state. Stage C is late die state, unconfirmed. The Stage B reverse crack through CENTS provides an attribution anchor when the secondary mintmark impression may be reduced on circulated examples. The 1930-S was produced during the Depression Era, when mintages declined sharply, and RPM-006 is cataloged as a distinct repunched mintmark entry within the VarietyVista 1930-S Buffalo Nickel census.

Die Markers

• UVC-122
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Light die crack through lower CENT of CENTS – LMDS
• Obverse is LMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References