1952 (D) Jefferson Nickel - Repunched Mintmark WRPM-003

Description

Entering the early 1950s, Denver Mint production of Jefferson Nickels maintained the same hand-punching methodology standard since 1938, and WRPM-003 of the 1952-D preserves one result of that process. Attributed by the Wexler Team, this is the third RPM variety cataloged for the 1952 Denver issue, continuing the moderate variety activity characterizing postwar Jefferson Nickels. By 1952, the Korean War era was influencing Mint priorities, though the standard copper-nickel composition remained unchanged — unlike wartime years when nickel metal was diverted to military use. The D mintmark, hand-applied to the right of Monticello on each working die, shows repositioning from an initial misaligned punch. Jefferson Nickel RPMs from the early 1950s occupy an interesting position in die variety collecting: recent enough that circulated examples remain available in dealer inventories, yet old enough that hand-punching was still firmly in practice. WRPM-003 offers collectors an affordable entry into attributed die varieties, as 1952-D nickels remain among the most accessible coins in American numismatics.

Cross References

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1952-D 5¢ WRPM-003

External References