1941 (S) Mercury Dime - Repunched Mintmark RPM-006

Description

Another northward S/S repunching from the 1941-S production, RPM-006 shares both the directional orientation and MMS-002 mintmark style with RPM-003, raising the question of how they are distinguished. The answer lies in die markers — minute scratches, polish lines, and clash evidence unique to each working die — that differentiate two dies punched with the same tool in the same direction at slightly different separations or carrying different secondary characteristics. RPM-006 may exhibit a different degree of separation between primary and secondary S impressions, or distinct die scratches that the cataloger used to establish it as separate from RPM-003. The MMS-002 punch producing multiple northward repunchings is not surprising, as vertical misalignment tends to occur more frequently when a technician strikes downward onto a die held in a vise. Weinman's Mercury Dime was struck in 90% silver at San Francisco, with the S mintmark on the reverse adjacent to the fasces. At 17.9mm and 2.50 grams, these coins circulated heavily. Differentiation from RPM-003 requires careful comparison of die markers.

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