1952-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-011

Description

Documented by the Wexler Team under 1952-S 5 cents WRPM-011, this repunched mintmark on the 1952 San Francisco Jefferson nickel carries no known cross-references. Obverse die markers include a strong die scratch connecting the upper 5 and 2 in the date, north-south die scratches below the chin, and die scratches running southwest from the bottom of the first T in TRUST. The reverse reveals numerous north-south die scratches above and below Monticello, plus a small die gouge between the bottom of Monticello and the second A in AMERICA. The strong die scratch connecting the upper portions of the 5 and 2 in the date is a particularly distinctive attribution marker — a linear feature bridging two adjacent digits is uncommon enough to serve as a near-definitive identification point independent of the repunched mintmark itself. The extensive die scratch fields above and below Monticello on the reverse suggest this die received rough handling during manufacture, storage, or installation in the press, leaving surface evidence that persists across all specimens struck from this die pair. Jefferson nickels from the early 1950s were struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams, and the San Francisco Mint's nickel production during this period saw relatively modest mintages compared to Philadelphia, meaning fewer working dies were used and individual die varieties like WRPM-011 potentially produced proportionally more specimens per variety than their Philadelphia counterparts.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1952-S 5¢ WRPM-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References