1951-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-009

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1951-S 10¢ WRPM-009, this Roosevelt Silver Dime exhibits an S/S repunched mintmark with the secondary impression tilted or rotated relative to the primary — the San Francisco mintmark punch having been applied at a slightly different angle during the corrective second strike into the working die. Obverse die markers are notably abundant: two strong north-south die scratches appear on the neck below the ear, a north-south die scratch runs in front of the forehead, a short north-northeast to south-southwest die scratch sits in front of the throat, and a short die scratch parallels the top of the B in LIBERTY. The reverse carries thin north-south die scratches between the flame and the upper oak leaf cluster, thin north-south die scratches through the US in PLURIBUS, and a large die gouge between the IT of UNITED and the leftmost olive leaf cluster. This extensive set of die markers — eight distinct features across both dies — provides an exceptionally robust attribution framework that enables confident identification even on worn specimens where the RPM itself may be partially obscured. John R. Sinnock designed the Roosevelt Dime, with the torch, oak branch, and olive branch on the reverse symbolizing liberty, strength, and peace respectively. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1951 in 90% silver composition weighing 2.50 grams with a 17.9 mm diameter. The San Francisco Mint was one of three facilities producing dimes during the early 1950s, and the manual S mintmark application process created opportunities for repunching on each individually prepared working die. The tilted RPM pattern produces a distinctive rotational offset visible under magnification at the mintmark location on the reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Eric Axtell Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1951-S 10¢ WRPM-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References