1954-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-004

Description

One of the last San Francisco business strike nickels to carry a hand-punched mintmark, this 1954-S Jefferson Nickel is attributed as Wexler Variety ID: 1954-S 5¢ WRPM-004 with photography by Brian Ribar. San Francisco struck Jefferson Nickels for circulation through 1955 before ceasing five-cent production until proof coinage resumed in 1968, making the 1954-S a late entry in the original run of S-mint business strike nickels. Four documented RPMs confirm that hand-punched mintmark inconsistencies continued through the end of San Francisco's circulating nickel era. The process remained unchanged: a technician positioned the S punch over each die and struck it, sometimes requiring a second blow that created overlapping impressions. Felix Schlag's design, now sixteen years into its run, had become one of the most familiar coin designs in American pockets. Ribar's photographic documentation of WRPM-004 preserves the mintmark overlap detail enabling collector attribution. As San Francisco wound down its circulating nickel production, dies from these final years hold particular interest for series specialists.

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: 1954-S 5¢ WRPM-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References