1938-D Over Mint Mark OMM-002

Description

The final year of Buffalo nickel production yielded one of the series' most celebrated over-mintmark varieties. Cataloged as OMM-002 (UVC-225, DMR-010) and cross-referenced as FS-512, this 1938-D shows a D punched over an S in a centered position, meaning Denver received a die originally intended for San Francisco. Four die stages are documented: Stage A and B are early and mid-die-state respectively, both unconfirmed for supplementary markers; Stage C shows both sides in late die state; Stage D reaches very late die state with advanced design deterioration. The D/S over-mintmark is historically significant because 1938 marked the transition from the Buffalo to the Jefferson design. Over-mintmarks occurred when the Mint shipped dies between facilities, occasionally failing to fully remove the original mintmark before punching the new one. Under magnification, remnants of the S serif curves should be visible beneath the D. The FS-512 listing ensures this variety appears in major references.

Die Markers

• UVC-225
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS
• Stage D:
• Reverse and Obverse are VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• FS-512
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References