1940-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Northward correction defines the primary repunched mintmark for the 1940-D Mercury dime, as RPM-001 exhibits D/D North displacement — the most commonly documented directional pattern for this date, reflecting a tendency for initial mintmark placement to fall below the intended position. The northward correction means the first D punch landed too low, and the second punch was applied higher, with the lower portion of the initial impression remaining visible beneath the final mintmark as diagnostic evidence. Denver struck approximately 21.2 million Mercury dimes in 1940, a growing pre-war output that reflected the economic expansion preceding America's entry into World War II. Adolph A. Weinman's Mercury dime had been in continuous production since 1916, and by 1940 the design was well into its third decade — the fasces reverse and the hand-punched D mintmark positioned to its right remained unchanged throughout the entire series run. As RPM-001, this variety holds the primary position in the 1940-D repunched mintmark census, typically indicating either the most dramatic displacement or the earliest documented example. The northward direction — shared with RPM-002 for the same date — establishes a pattern of vertical displacement on 1940-D dies, where the initial punch consistently landed lower than desired. Collectors searching for this variety should examine the D mintmark under 10-15x magnification with the coin tilted at a shallow angle to a point light source, focusing on the area below the final D's baseline where the initial lower placement left its residual impression. The diagnostic evidence typically manifests as partial lower curves or serif traces extending beneath the accepted mintmark, and comparison against published reference images differentiates RPM-001 from RPM-002 based on the specific displacement magnitude and overlap characteristics unique to each die.

External References