1946-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-009

Description

Listed by the Wexler Team with no other known cross-references, WRPM-009 on the 1946-S Jefferson nickel documents a repunched mintmark variety from the early post-war production year at the San Francisco Mint. Obverse die markers provide helpful secondary diagnostics: a small die gouge between the lower digits one and nine of the date, plus die scratches running NNE from the top of the forehead. The reverse is particularly well-marked, beginning with a sans-serif style mintmark — notable because San Francisco mintmarks on Jefferson nickels transitioned between serif and sans-serif punch styles during this period, making the punch type itself a useful attribution element. Additional reverse diagnostics include a die gouge below the second U in UNUM, short N/S die scratches inside the right arch of Monticello, and die scratches running north from the top left of the M in MONTICELLO. Repunched mintmarks on 1946-S nickels occurred because each working die received its mintmark individually through a hand-punching process, and any imprecision in the initial placement prompted a corrective second impression. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse design, with the mintmark positioned to the right of the building, provides a relatively open field that can reveal repunching details clearly under magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-S 5¢ WRPM-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References