1961-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Showing a D/D tilted or rotated mintmark positioning, the 1961-D WRPM-003 Jefferson Nickel preserves evidence of a corrective second punch where the Denver mintmark was re-entered at a slightly different angle from the initial impression. This tilted RPM variant is less common than simple north, south, east, or west displacements, as it required the mint employee to not only reposition the punch but also rotate it between applications. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1961-D 5c WRPM-003 with no known cross-references, the die markers provide multiple confirmation points: on the obverse, a die scratch runs southeast from the bottom left of the N in IN, with numerous additional die scratches throughout the obverse. The reverse shows a die gouge running east-northeast from the bottom right of the E in AMERICA and a small die clash remnant just to the right of the right porch of Monticello — this last marker is particularly interesting as it indicates the die experienced a clash event during its service life. The 1961-D nickel was produced during the post-war boom at the Denver Mint, part of the continuous production run of Felix Schlag's original Jefferson design that would remain in use until 2004. Three documented RPMs for the 1961-D date reflects the hand-punching era when every working die received its mintmark individually, making misalignment an inherent and unavoidable part of the process.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1961-D 5¢ WRPM-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References