1946-D Repunched Mintmark WRPM-005

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1946-D 5-cent WRPM-005 and cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #5, this Jefferson Nickel exhibits a D/D North repunched mintmark where the initial D impression was placed slightly south of the intended position and a corrective second punch was applied northward, leaving diagnostic remnants of the first impression visible below the primary placement. Die markers on the obverse include an E/W die scratch inside the lower cavity of the B in LIBERTY, located near the top of the cavity — a precise positional reference within a specific letter that aids rapid authentication. On the reverse, NE/SW die scratches can be found inside the C and the last A of AMERICA, documenting die surface damage that is consistent across multiple letters in the same area of the reverse die. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag, who won the 1938 design competition, and struck at the Denver Mint in 1946. Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the coin weighs 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.21 mm. The 1946-D had a mintage of approximately 45.3 million pieces as post-war production ramped up following the end of wartime silver alloy usage the previous year — 1945 was the last year of the 35% silver composition, and 1946 marked the return to the standard copper-nickel alloy. Repunched mintmark varieties on Jefferson Nickels from 1946 reflect the manual mintmark application process at the Denver Mint, where an engraver used a small steel punch to hand-stamp the D letter into each working die before it entered production, and the northward displacement of the secondary impression on WRPM-005 is consistent with a common correction pattern seen across multiple denominations from this facility.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: CONECA: RPM #5
• CONECA: RPM #5; Wexler Variety ID: 1946-D 5¢ WRPM-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References