1942 Repunched Mintmark RPM-004

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, the 1942 RPM-004 Jefferson Nickel represents the inaugural year of wartime silver alloy production at the Philadelphia Mint, when the large P mintmark was introduced above Monticello for the first time in the series' history. No directional displacement is specified in the comments field for this variety, indicating the repunched P mintmark's secondary impression direction has not been formally characterized in the current catalog entry. Die markers UVC-013 / DMR-008 track three stages: Stage A at EDS (unconfirmed); Stage B with both reverse and obverse at MDS; and Stage C with reverse and obverse at LDS. The low UVC number (013) suggests this variety was among the earlier die pairs documented within the 1942-P wartime nickel die population. The Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1942 in the wartime alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese, weighing 5.0 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm. The 1942-P wartime nickel holds particular historical significance as the first American coin to bear a P mintmark for the Philadelphia Mint — previously, Philadelphia issues carried no mintmark at all. Congress mandated the oversized mintmark specifically so the public could distinguish the silver-content wartime coins from standard copper-nickel issues for potential later retrieval, and the Philadelphia Mint's engravers had to develop new tooling and procedures for applying the unfamiliar large P punch. Felix Schlag's original design was retained throughout the wartime period. The 4th cataloged RPM for the debut 1942-P wartime issue documents the learning curve inherent in adopting a new, larger mintmark punch during the first months of emergency alloy production.

Die Markers

• UVC-013
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

External References