1949-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

Primary repunched mintmark for the 1949 San Francisco Franklin Half Dollar, this RPM-001 shows an S over S repunched to the west — the corrective second punch shifted the mintmark leftward, leaving traces of the initial S displaced to the east. The 1949-S had a modest mintage of approximately 3.7 million pieces, among the lower production figures in the Franklin Half Dollar series, making die varieties from this date-mint potentially scarcer than those from higher-mintage issues. San Francisco S mintmarks present different repunching characteristics than Denver D mintmarks because the S shape — with its compound reverse curves — creates complex overlap patterns where the upper and lower terminals of the displaced first impression interact with the final letter's curves. Westward displacement on an S mintmark means the first S's right-side curves appear as extra contour lines along the east edge of the final S. The 1949-S was only the second San Francisco Franklin Half Dollar, as the series debuted in 1948. Sinnock's Liberty Bell reverse provides a historically resonant backdrop for variety collecting — the bell's famous crack symbolizing endurance through imperfection. Struck in 90% silver at 30.6mm and 12.5 grams. Examine the S mintmark for the eastward-displaced remnant of the initial punch that was corrected westward.

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