PART II. Die Varieties:
Repunched Mintmark (RPM)
Definition: A repunched mintmark variety is generated when the letter punch that is used to punch the mintmark into the working die leaves two or more offset impressions. The impressions almost always overlap. A totally separate secondary mintmark is a rarity.
The secondary mintmark is usually thinner and smaller than the normal mintmark. This is due to the fact that the apex of the raised letter on the letter punch is narrower than the base. In other words, the raised letter on the letter punch tapers in vertical cross-section.
Repunched mintmarks can reflect any of the following mishaps:
1. A failure to position the letter punch precisely over a first attempt at punching in the letter.
2. A letter punch that bounces and lands lightly on the rebound.
3. A letter punch that is not held vertically. This can cause it to skip, leaving a secondary impression.
4. An attempt to correct an initial punch mark that was out of position.
5. A malpositioned mintmark is incompletely abraded and a properly positioned mintmark is punched in afterward.
The era of RPMs ceased in 1989 when the U. S. Mint began placing the mint mark on the master die instead of punching the mintmark into the working die.
The position of the extra mint mark is indicated by using a cardinal direction; north, northeast, east, south, southwest, etc. Although the fainter of the two mintmarks is usually the one that was punched-in first, it is
referred to as the secondary mint mark.
The secondary mintmark can also be rotated, instead of offset. This occurs when both mintmarks have the same relative center, but the secondary mintmark is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the primary mintmark.
The secondary mintmark can also be tilted. This occurs when just a portion of the punch breaks the surface of the working die due to its being held at an angle when hit. The second-punched mintmark (the primary) will be seen in full.
Offset, rotated, and tilted positions can be combined in a single secondary mintmark.
There are other mint marks (P, O, CC, etc.) that have been repunched, but the majority of RPMs are found with either the S or D mint mark.
All photographs are courtesy of Coppercoins
