1942-D Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

With America fully mobilized after Pearl Harbor, the 1942-D Mercury Dime RPM-002 records a D/D repunching displaced west — the secondary D visible left of the primary. The year 1942 marked the first full calendar year of U.S. involvement in World War II, and Denver was operating at wartime production levels, pushing more working dies through the presses and generating elevated die varieties. RPM-002 holds the second catalog position, but the date would yield at least seventeen RPM varieties — a prolific output reflecting wartime die consumption. Westward repunching appears as extra metal or a ghost outline extending from the left vertical stroke of the D. Weinman's design continued unchanged despite the war — the reverse fasces ironically echoed Mussolini's appropriated symbol, though the coin predated that association by over a decade. Each dime was 90% silver at 2.50 grams and 17.9mm, metals that remained available for coinage even as other materials were redirected to military use. Examine the left edge of the D on the reverse for the westward secondary impression.

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