1957 (D) Washington Quarter - Repunched Mintmark RPM-001

Description

A D over D repunched to the northeast identifies this 1957-D Washington Quarter RPM-001, where the initial D mintmark was first punched slightly southwest of its final position, then corrected northeastward — leaving traces of the first impression visible to the southwest of the definitive D. The northeast repunching direction means the remnant first D sits displaced southwestward, creating a characteristic shadow visible under magnification at the lower left of the final mintmark position. The 1957-D was struck at Denver on 90% silver at 24.3mm during the final decade of silver Washington Quarters (the series transitioned to copper-nickel clad in 1965). John Flanagan's design, selected through a 1931 competition and first struck the following year, was in its twenty-sixth year. Repunched mintmark varieties from the late 1950s represent some of the final years of hand-punched mintmarks on Washington Quarters, as the increasing mechanization of die preparation would eventually eliminate the hand-punching process. Each RPM variety documents a unique moment in die preparation where a Mint employee assessed the first impression's placement, decided it needed correction, and repunched the letter. Examine the D mintmark for traces of the initial impression displaced to the southwest of the final position — the signature of this northeast repunching.

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