1946-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-006

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1946-S 5¢ WRPM-006 and cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #3, this Jefferson Nickel exhibits a repunched mintmark variety produced at the San Francisco Mint in 1946. The CONECA RPM #3 designation establishes this as the third-ranked repunched mintmark variety in the CONECA catalog for the 1946-S Jefferson Nickel, confirming its recognition across multiple attribution systems. Obverse die markers include parallel die scratches running east-northeast from the top of the one in the date — a pattern of grouped scratches that creates a distinctive directional signature near the date. Reverse markers feature a die gouge just to the left of the bottom of Monticello's dome — positioned at a prominent architectural feature of Jefferson's estate that serves as a natural reference point for locating the marker. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag, with Thomas Jefferson's portrait on the obverse and his Monticello estate on the reverse. Struck in 1946 in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm, the 1946-S nickel was the first full post-war production year at San Francisco following the wartime nickel composition changes of 1942-1945. The return to standard copper-nickel alloy after the wartime 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese composition meant new die preparation procedures, and the S mintmark hand-punching process for these restored-composition dies generated multiple RPM varieties. The dual listing in both the Wexler and CONECA catalogs provides collectors with two independent attribution pathways, enhancing the variety's documentation and accessibility within the error and variety collecting community.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: CONECA: RPM #3
• CONECA: RPM #3; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-S 5¢ WRPM-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References