1949-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-010

Description

Tenth in the Wexler Team's catalog of repunched mintmarks for the 1949 San Francisco Jefferson Nickel, WRPM-010 sits near the upper end of a census encompassing at least eleven documented varieties — an RPM population virtually unmatched among individual Jefferson Nickel issues. This depth transforms the 1949-S from an otherwise unremarkable postwar nickel into a cornerstone for die variety specialists. Ten or more distinct RPM dies for a single issue illustrates the scale of hand-punching at San Francisco during the late 1940s, where scores of working dies were individually prepared with mintmarks applied by skilled engravers whose work inevitably produced occasional misalignments. Each WRPM variety preserves a unique combination of initial and corrected punch positions, with differences between adjacent catalog numbers measured in fractions of a millimeter. Pursuing a complete set of 1949-S RPMs combines numismatic research with hands-on examination, as higher-numbered varieties typically require sorting substantial quantities of circulated nickels or consulting specialist dealers. The base coin's affordability keeps this pursuit accessible.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1949-S 5¢ WRPM-010
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References