1938-D Over Mint Mark OMM-005

Description

Catalogued by VarietyVista with markers UVC-228 and DMR-013, and cross-referenced as FS-515 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers' Guide, the 1938-D Buffalo Nickel OMM-005 is an Over Mint Mark variety showing a D punched over an earlier S, with the displacement described as "D/S Wide Southeast." Over Mint Mark varieties occur when a die intended for one mint facility is repurposed at another, with the new mintmark punched over the old; here, the San Francisco S impression is visible beneath the Denver D. The 1938-D Buffalo Nickel is the final year of James Earle Fraser's iconic design, making it a cornerstone issue for Buffalo Nickel collectors. Three die stages are documented: Stage A shows the reverse at EDS and the obverse at LDS; Stage B advances the reverse to MDS with the obverse at VLDS; Stage C is LDS (unconfirmed). The FS-515 designation ensures recognition across major numismatic references, and the D/S Wide Southeast shift makes the underlying S impression accessible under moderate magnification on mid-grade examples. The final-year significance of the 1938-D contributes to sustained collector demand for attributed OMM specimens.

Die Markers

• UVC-228
• DMR-013
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDSObverse is LDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse is MDS
• Obverse is VLDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• FS-515
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References