1953-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-005

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1953-D 5¢ WRPM-005, this Jefferson Nickel exhibits a repunched mintmark variety where the D was applied more than once to the working die at the Denver Mint, leaving diagnostic traces of the earlier impression alongside the final placement. No cross-references to other cataloging systems are currently known. Reverse die markers provide three distinct attribution points concentrated on the Monticello reverse: a die gouge above the left porch of Monticello, a die gouge between the I and the T in UNITED, and short die scratches running southwest-to-northeast above the second O in MONTICELLO. These three markers — positioned at the building's architectural detail, in the upper inscription, and near the building's name — create a distributed identification network across the reverse face. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag, whose reverse depicts Thomas Jefferson's Monticello with its neoclassical columns, pediment, and dome. Struck at the Denver Mint in 1953 in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm, the 1953-D nickel was produced during the post-Korean War period when circulating coinage demand remained strong. The D mintmark was hand-punched into each individual working die using a small steel letter punch, and the fifth cataloged RPM for this date-mint (WRPM-005) indicates a moderate variety population. Examination of the mintmark area under 10x magnification best reveals the offset between the primary and secondary D impressions, while the three reverse die markers provide confirmatory evidence that the specimen under examination matches this specific working die.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1953-D 5¢ WRPM-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References