1955-D Over Mint Mark WOMM-008

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team and cross-referenced as CONECA OMM #8, this 1955-D Jefferson Nickel displays an over mint mark variety designated WOMM-008, where traces of a secondary mintmark impression are visible beneath or adjacent to the primary D mintmark on the reverse. Die markers are extensive across both sides: the obverse carries a die scratch running west from the center of the I in IN to the bottom left of the bust, and another die scratch running east from the top right of the N in IN to the top left of the G in GOD. The reverse shows numerous parallel die scratches running from west to east below and between the MO of MONTICELLO and the F in FIVE, along with two parallel die scratches running west-northwest to east-southeast between the upper C and A in AMERICA. These extensive directional die scratches document a die that underwent significant polishing or cleaning during its service life. The 1955-D Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Denver Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm. The 1955-D had a mintage of approximately 74.5 million pieces, a moderate figure for the Jefferson nickel series. Over mint mark varieties from the 1950s era reflect the practice of occasionally redistributing working dies between branch mints, where a die initially prepared with one mintmark would be overpunched with a different facility's letter before being placed into service. Felix Schlag's original 1938 Monticello reverse design places the mintmark to the right of the building, where these overpunched letters are best examined.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown Cross References: CONECA: OMM #8
• CONECA: OMM #8; Wexler Variety ID: 1955-D 5¢ WOMM-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References