1949-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-009

Description

Pushing into double digits, WRPM-009 of the 1949-S Jefferson Nickel underscores the remarkable variety depth characterizing this date and mint in the Wexler Team's RPM catalog. With at least eleven RPM varieties documented for 1949 San Francisco alone, the issue stands as one of the richest hunting grounds in Jefferson Nickel variety collecting. Higher-numbered designations like WRPM-009 often correspond to later discoveries, which can mean subtler repunching or fewer known examples that drew less initial attention. The hand-punching technique at San Francisco in 1949 was unchanged from 1938: a Mint employee placed a steel S punch against the working die adjacent to Monticello and struck it with sufficient force. When the first impression was off-target, a second blow corrected the placement. Cherry-picking for higher-numbered RPMs represents an advanced tier of variety collecting, demanding greater familiarity with the subtle differences distinguishing one variety from another within the same date. The 1949-S remains affordable in circulated grades, keeping the pursuit accessible.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1949-S 5¢ WRPM-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References