1945-S Improper Mint Mark WIMM-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1945-S 25¢ WIMM-001, this Washington Silver Quarter features an inverted Trumpet Tail S mintmark -- distinctly different from a standard repunched mintmark. On the normal Trumpet Tail S, the flared "trumpet" terminal appears at the bottom left; when inverted, it shifts to the top right, creating a visually reversed orientation. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1945-S 25¢ WIMM-001. Inverted mintmarks occur when the engraver inserts the punch rotated 180 degrees from correct orientation. At 90% silver and 10% copper, 6.25 grams and 24.3 mm, the 1945-S was struck at San Francisco during WWII's final months. The Trumpet Tail S punch has a distinctive asymmetric terminal that makes inversion diagnostically clear, unlike symmetric punches where rotation would be undetectable.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known Comments: On the normal Trumpet Tail S mint mark the “trumpet” is at the bottom left of the mint mark. When inverted the “trumpet” is at the top right of the mint mark. Inverted Trumpet Tail S Mint Mark Normal Trumpet Tail S Mint Mark
• None known Comments: On the normal Trumpet Tail S mint mark the “trumpet” is at the bottom left of the mint mark. When inverted the “trumpet” is at the top right of the mint mark. Inverted Trumpet Tail S Mint Mark Normal Trumpet Tail S Mint Mark; Wexler Variety ID: 1945-S 25¢ WIMM-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References