1954-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Displaced to the northwest, the secondary S mintmark impression on this 1954 San Francisco Jefferson Nickel is visible beneath and offset from the primary punch, creating the classic doubled-mintmark appearance that defines repunched mintmark (RPM) varieties. Before 1990, individual mintmark letters were hand-punched into each working die by engravers at the Philadelphia Mint, and slight misalignment between the first and second punch strokes produced the overlap that collectors prize. Cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #4 and cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1954-S 5-cent WRPM-003, this die carries several confirming markers: the obverse displays several strong die scratches running north-south to the left of Jefferson's forehead along with numerous additional scratches throughout, while the reverse shows a die gouge extending east-southeast from the rim above the P in PLURIBUS. The 1954-S nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the post-war boom era, and the Felix Schlag design — featuring Jefferson's portrait and Monticello — had been in production since 1938. RPM varieties from the 1950s San Francisco Mint are actively collected because the relatively low mintages compared to Philadelphia make surviving specimens less common in high grade.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: RPM #4
• CONECA: RPM #4; Wexler Variety ID: 1954-S 5¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References