1953-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-013

Description

Thirteenth in the repunched mintmark census for the 1953-S Jefferson nickel, WRPM-013 was cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-013 with no additional cross-references. The obverse die carries detailed marker diagnostics: a die gouge south of the left side of the Y in LIBERTY. The reverse presents three distinct identification points: a die gouge below the right side of the M in UNUM, a small die gouge between the bottom of Monticello and the top left of the U in UNITED, and a short die scratch running WSW from the bottom right side of the M in MONTICELLO. These four die markers across both sides create a robust attribution framework that reliably isolates WRPM-013 from the twelve other RPM varieties documented for the 1953-S nickel. Repunched mintmarks on Jefferson nickels were a natural consequence of the Mint's die preparation process, where individual letter punches bearing the S were hand-applied to each working die destined for the San Francisco facility. The 1953-S nickel had a mintage of 19.2 million pieces, a comparatively low figure that has made the date somewhat scarce in higher grades. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse, with its architectural details, remained unchanged throughout this period. The San Francisco Mint was approaching the end of its first era of modern coinage production in the early 1950s, as the facility would be temporarily closed in 1955 and would not resume circulating coin production until the mid-1960s. RPM varieties from San Francisco's final active years before the closure carry added historical interest as products of a facility operating in its twilight period.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1953-S 5¢ WRPM-013
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References