1952-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-012

Description

Among the twelve cataloged repunched mintmarks for the 1952-S Jefferson Nickel, WRPM-012 stands as evidence that even into the early 1950s, the hand-punching of mintmark letters into working dies remained an imprecise craft at the San Francisco Mint. Obverse die markers for attribution include a die gouge between the R and T in LIBERTY, along with numerous die scratches running mostly N/S both to the left and right of the bust — scratches likely incurred during die finishing operations or through progressive use. The reverse carries equally distinctive diagnostics: strong N/S die scratches below the E and the second O in MONTICELLO, plus numerous scratches running in varying directions above the Monticello building facade. Felix Schlag's original Jefferson portrait and Monticello reverse, in use since 1938, were by 1952 well into their second decade of production. The Wexler Team cataloged this variety under Wexler Variety ID: 1952-S 5¢ WRPM-012, with no additional cross-references currently documented.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1952-S 5¢ WRPM-012
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References