1931-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-001

Description

A repunched mintmark on one of the key dates in the Buffalo Nickel series creates a doubly collectible variety: the 1931-S carries a mintage of only approximately 1.2 million — among the lowest in the entire series — and an RPM adds die variety significance to an already scarce date. Cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #1 and Wexler Variety ID 1931-S 5c WRPM-001, this is the first cataloged repunched mintmark for the date, with both major reference systems designating it as their primary entry. Attributed by the Wexler Team, the RPM resulted from the standard hand-punching process where the S mintmark was applied to the working die at Philadelphia before shipment to San Francisco, with a misalignment on the initial punch requiring correction. Key date status means fewer total coins were struck, and consequently fewer die pairs were employed — making die varieties from the 1931-S inherently rarer than those from higher-mintage dates. The convergence of key date appeal and documented die variety makes WRPM-001 particularly desirable for collectors who pursue both date rarity and variety attribution within James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lloyd Hanson Cross References: CONECA: RPM #1
• CONECA: RPM #1; Wexler Variety ID: 1931-S 5¢ WRPM-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References