1953-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-011

Description

Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-011 and documented through Brian Ribar's photography, this San Francisco Jefferson Nickel carries a repunched mintmark from the height of the Eisenhower administration. With eleven RPM varieties recorded for the 1953-S date, the die preparation records reveal persistent mintmark repositioning at the Philadelphia die shop, where all working dies were manufactured before shipment to San Francisco. The sheer number of documented RPMs across 1950s San Francisco nickels has made the S-mint Jefferson Nickel a cornerstone of RPM collecting. Each variety's unique overlap pattern — whether the secondary S appears north, south, east, west, or at an angle — provides a fingerprint for that specific working die. Felix Schlag designed both the obverse and reverse of the Jefferson Nickel, winning a public competition in 1938. His Monticello depiction retained its essential character throughout the pre-2004 era. Collectors building a comprehensive set of 1953-S RPMs face the challenge of locating eleven distinct varieties from a single date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known Comments: The photo of the RPM was taken by Brian Ribar.
• None known Comments: The photo of the RPM was taken by Brian Ribar.; Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-011
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References