1942-S Repunched Mintmark RPM-002

Description

The 1942-S Mercury Dime RPM-002 displays the S mint mark repunched to the west (S/S West), where the initial impression was placed slightly east of the intended position and the correction punch landed at the correct western location. Under magnification, remnants of the first S impression are visible to the east of the final mint mark, creating the doubled appearance characteristic of repunched mint marks. The mint mark punch is classified as MMS-003, featuring a Trumpet Tail form — a style where the lower terminal of the S flares outward in a distinctive trumpet-like shape, distinguishing it from other S punch configurations used at the San Francisco Mint during this era. The 1942-S Mercury Dime was struck during the early years of American involvement in World War II, and repunched mint marks from Adolph Weinman's final design years (the series ended in 1945) are popular with collectors of this classic series. Each RPM variety documents an individual die sinker's hand-punching of the mint mark — a process that was inherently variable and would eventually be eliminated around 1990 when mint marks were incorporated directly into the master die.

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