1951-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

Paired with reverse design variant RDV-001a, this 1951-S Franklin Half Dollar RPM-002 shows an S over S repunched to the south — the initial S sits above the final position, displaced northward from the corrective southward second punch. The RDV-001a reverse variant designation adds die marriage context, indicating this particular RPM die was paired with a specific reverse die identifiable by its design characteristics. The 1951-S Franklin Half Dollar had a significant mintage, and San Francisco produced multiple RPM dies for this date — RPMs 002 through 005 are all cataloged, each representing a unique die that received its S mintmark with imperfect initial placement. Southward repunching was the most common correction direction on 1951-S RPMs, with three of the four varieties (002, 004, 005) sharing this direction, though each die's specific displacement magnitude and overlap pattern differ. The consistency of southward correction may reflect the natural tendency of the punch operator's technique at San Francisco during this production period. Struck in 90% silver at 30.6mm with Sinnock's Benjamin Franklin portrait and Liberty Bell reverse. Examine the S mintmark for the northward-displaced remnant of the initial impression, and note the RDV-001a reverse die pairing that distinguishes this die marriage from RPM-003 through RPM-005.

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