1883 Repunched Date WRPD-003

Description

A triple repunching event distinguishes WRPD-003 for the 1883 Shield nickel, creating the complex date reading 1/1/1883/1883/3 that records three distinct impressions of the date punches into the working die. Attributed by the Wexler Team and cross-referenced as Flynn NC RPD-005, Peters and Mohon PM-19.1, and Breen 2530, this variety appears on the No CENTS reverse variant — the famous 1883 Shield nickel type that was quickly modified mid-year to add the word CENTS after the public discovered the coins could be gold-plated and passed as five-dollar gold pieces. The triple repunching shows repunching to the south on the top serif of the 1, repunching to the north on both the 1 and the 83 digits, and repunching to the west on the final 3 — a multi-directional displacement pattern that indicates the die engraver made at least two correction attempts after the initial date impression. Obverse die markers include a die crack running through the date, a progressive failure feature. The No CENTS reverse type, which lacks any denomination statement beyond the Roman numeral V within the wreath, was produced for only part of 1883 before being replaced by the With CENTS type. James Barton Longacre's Shield design, featuring the Union shield on the obverse with a prominent numeral 5 on the reverse, was in its final year of production in 1883 before being succeeded by Charles Barber's Liberty Head design. The convergence of the triple repunching with the scarce No CENTS subtype makes this WRPD-003 listing a particularly desirable piece for Shield nickel variety specialists and type collectors alike.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Not noted Cross References: Flynn: NC RPD-005, Peters & Mohon: PM-19.1, Breen: 2530
• Flynn: NC RPD-005, Peters & Mohon: PM-19.1, Breen: 2530; Wexler Variety ID: 1883 5¢ V WRPD-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References