A repunched mint mark (RPM) refers to a mint mark stamped onto a coin’s die more than once, typically in slightly different positions. This was the manual minting processes used by the U.S. Mint before 1990. RPMs offer collectors visual insight into human-influenced minting variation and serve as reminders of how minting once relied on craftsmanship over automation.
How Repunched Mint Marks Were Created
Before 1990, mint marks were manually punched onto working dies from the coin hub. A technician would align a steel punch bearing the mint mark, then strike it with a mallet. If the first impression was misaligned or weak, a second blow was applied, sometimes at a slightly different angle or position. These misalignments resulted in repunched mint marks. Specific scenarios leading to RPMs include:
- The punch was not held vertically, causing it to skip or bounce
- The first impression was weak or incomplete, requiring a second blow
- The initial mint mark was mispositioned, then corrected with a second strike
- The punch rebounded lightly after impact, leaving a shadow mark
- An incorrect punch was partially removed and then corrected with a new strike
In many cases, the secondary mint mark appears thinner or more faint than the final impression. This is due to the tapered shape of the punch tip, and its apex creates a lighter, narrower mark than the base. That lighter strike is usually what collectors refer to as the “secondary” impression, even though it happened first.
Types of Repunched Mint Marks
RPMs are categorized by the spatial orientation of the impressions:
- Vertical: The second impression appears above or below the first
- Horizontal: Offset to the side
- Rotated: Shares the same center but twisted clockwise or counterclockwise
- Tilted: Struck at an angle, resulting in partial contact
- Overlapping: Double impressions stacked closely, often causing thickened or fuzzy visuals
Rare orientations include:
- Inverted RPMs: Second mint mark appears upside-down
- D & D / S & S: Two mint marks spaced far enough apart not to be considered overlapping
Directional labels (such as D/D North) are commonly used by numismatists to describe the relative position of the lighter, earlier impression. These indicators help classify RPMs more precisely and support attribution in pricing guides and grading submissions.
Repunched Mint Marks vs. Other Varieties
It is important to distinguish RPMs from other minting errors:
RPM vs. Doubled Die
RPMs involve the mint mark only, while doubled dies affect the entire design. A doubled die is created when the die itself is misaligned during hubbing. RPMs result from hand-punching after the hub is complete.
RPM vs. Overmintmark (OMM)
RPMs involve multiple strikes of the same mint mark (such as D/D or S/S). In contrast, OMMs show two different mint marks—like an “S” punched over a “D.” These are less common and often tied to reassignment of dies between branch mints.
Some misattributions still occur, especially with machine doubling or die deterioration. These look similar at a glance but lack the distinct spacing and depth found in true RPMs.
Historical Context and the End of RPMs
Mint marks were introduced in the 1830s to identify coins struck at new branch mints like New Orleans, Charlotte, and Dahlonega. For decades, these marks were applied by hand to working dies using puncheons, which are small steel rods with engraved letters. This hand-punching process continued well into the 1980s. Every working die had to be marked individually, which increased the likelihood of error and variation.
As minting technology advanced, changes came in phases. By the mid-1980s, mint marks were added to master dies for proof and commemorative coins. In 1990, this practice expanded to include circulating coinage. By 1994, mint marks were incorporated into the digital or sculpted master models, completely removing the hand-applied step.
This shift brought consistency and efficiency but ended the production of RPMs and OMMs. Today, collectors reflect on these varieties as markers of a more tactile, hands-on minting era.
Notable RPM Varieties
RPMs appear across many denominations. Highly collected examples include:
- 1909-S/S Lincoln Cent (S over horizontal S)
- 1955-D Lincoln Cent (D/D Horizontal)
- 1960-D Lincoln Cent Small Date RPM
- 1938-D Buffalo Nickel
- 1921-S Morgan Dollar
- 1957-D Lincoln Wheat Cent
- 1972-D Jefferson Nickel
- 1989-D Roosevelt Dime
These coins are often listed in specialized guides and are recognized by grading services such as PCGS, NGC, and ANACS. Inclusion in set registries can also increase collector interest and competitive value.
Value and Market Appeal
Collector interest in RPMs remains strong. Value depends on:
- Rarity: Scarcer or dramatic varieties fetch higher prices
- Grade: Higher condition coins show clearer RPM detail
- Certification: Recognition by top grading services adds market trust
- Visual Strength: Bold, obvious doubling commands stronger premiums
Most RPMs trade for $5 to $30 in circulated grades. However, sharply struck examples with a dramatic doubling in high grades can sell for several hundred dollars. Certified coins with dramatic RPMs are often sought after for inclusion in variety-specific sets.
Repunched mint marks represent more than a minting quirk. They are a window into the hands-on era of American coin production. These varieties offer visual intrigue and a historical narrative, connecting today’s collectors to the tools, techniques, and human touch that once defined U.S. coinage.
