MintMark
Die errors

Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) coin error — real example

Photo: Jespinos · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons · Close-up of a doubled/repunched Santiago mintmark on an 1878 Chile 20 centavos (uploader: 'double mint mark error'); two overlapping punches clearly visible. No usable US RPM photo found on Commons.

What it is

Until 1990 or so, the little mint mark letter (like D or S) was punched into each die by hand with a steel punch and a hammer. If the first punch was weak, crooked, or in the wrong spot, the mint worker punched it again, and the second strike didn't always land exactly on top of the first. The result is a mint mark with a visible ghost of another letter underneath or beside it. Since the die struck thousands of coins, every one of them carries the same repunched mint mark.

How to spot it

Find the mint mark and study it under a 10x loupe in good light. Look for a partial second letter: an extra curve of a D peeking out below the main D, or an extra serif of an S off to one side. Tilt the coin under the light because the leftover letter is often shallow. Compare with photos of known RPMs for that date and mint, since collectors have catalogued them in detail. The extra letter should be raised metal, part of the strike, not a scratch or dent.

Don't get fooled: A damaged, dented, or corroded mint mark can mimic an RPM. Real repunching shows smooth raised remnants of an actual letter shape; damage shows displaced or gouged metal. Also note that after about 1990 mint marks were put on the master design, so RPMs basically don't exist on modern coins.

What it's worth

Most RPMs add a modest premium: typically $3-$50 over face or melt value depending on how dramatic and how popular the variety is. A few strong, famous ones like the 1960-D/D small date cent varieties can bring more, but no RPM makes a coin worth thousands by itself.

Famous examples

  • 1960-D/D Lincoln Cent RPMs
  • 1956-D/D Above Shadow D Lincoln Cent
  • 1946-S/S Jefferson Nickel

Documented varieties with this error

1942-D D Over Horizontal D

rare
$100 – $3,000+

1949-D/S (D Over S)

rare
$50 – $400+

1954-S/D (S Over D)

scarce
$15 – $150

1955-D/S (D Over S)

scarce
$15 – $150

1905-O Micro O

rare
$40 – $1,500+

1945-S Micro S

scarce
$8 – $150+ (more with Full Bands)

1892-O Micro O

rare
$500 – $5,000+ depending on wear

1950-D/S Overmintmark

rare
$50 – $500+ depending on wear

1950-S/D Overmintmark

rare
$75 – $600+ depending on wear

1892-O Micro O

extreme
$1,500 – $25,000+

1900-O/CC Overmintmark

scarce
$60 – $1,500+

Series where this error is found

Indian Head Wheat Cent Memorial Cent Jefferson Nickel Barber Dime Mercury Dime Roosevelt Dime Barber Quarter Washington Quarter Barber Half Walking Liberty Franklin Half Morgan

Think your coin has this error?

Identify it first — then check against the guide.

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