1953-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-012

Description

As the twelfth documented repunched mintmark for the 1953-S issue, WRPM-012 — attributed under Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-012 and photographed by Brian Ribar — extends the already remarkable RPM census for this San Francisco Jefferson Nickel. Twelve varieties from a single date ranks the 1953-S among the most productive for RPM discoveries in the entire series. The explanation lies in production mechanics: San Francisco struck millions of nickels in 1953, requiring numerous working dies, and every die received its mintmark through a separate hand-punching operation. Statistical probability ensured a fraction of these events would produce visible repunching. What distinguishes WRPM-012 from the other eleven varieties is the specific geometry of the secondary S relative to the primary — each variety occupies a unique position in directional and rotational space. Ribar's photograph isolates these diagnostics for collector reference. The mid-1950s Jefferson Nickel series offers RPM collectors an unusually dense hunting ground, and building a complete set of the dozen known 1953-S varieties represents a focused specialty.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known Comments: The photo of the RPM was taken by Brian Ribar.
• None known Comments: The photo of the RPM was taken by Brian Ribar.; Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-012
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References