1959-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-006

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1959-D 5-cent WRPM-006, this Jefferson Nickel presents a D/D North repunched mintmark accompanied by exceptionally extensive die marker evidence on both faces. The obverse displays die clash remnants at the throat and through the queue (the small ponytail at the back of Jefferson's head); many crisscrossing die scratches throughout the obverse — evidence of aggressive die polishing or lapping to remove the clash marks; a curving north-to-east die scratch left of and below IN; many strong north/south die scratches below LIBERTY; and a die gouge below the right side of the N in IN. The reverse is similarly marked with many strong NE/SW die scratches throughout, a strong die scratch extending SW from the first U in UNUM, and a strong die scratch extending SW from the steps touching the left side of the T in MONTICELLO. The sheer volume of die scratches across both faces — described as "many" and "many strong" — documents a die pair that underwent extensive abrasive maintenance, likely to remove clash marks visible at the throat area, with the die polishing leaving its own characteristic pattern of directional striations. No external cross-references beyond the Wexler listing are currently known. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag and struck at the Denver Mint in 1959, composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm. The 1959-D had a mintage of approximately 160.7 million pieces. The combination of the repunched mintmark, clash remnants, and prolific die scratching makes this variety a case study in die maintenance practices — the Mint identified a clashed die, attempted to remedy it through aggressive polishing, and returned it to production, creating a die pair with a documented service history embedded in its surface markers.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1959-D 5¢ WRPM-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References