In coin collecting, RPM stands for repunched mint mark.
It refers to a variety of coins where the mint mark (the small letter indicating the mint where the coin was produced, like ‘D’ for Denver, or ‘S’ for San Francisco) was punched onto the coin’s die more than once, resulting in a doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled appearance of the mint mark.
- Before 1990, mint marks were hand-punched onto the coin dies, meaning each die had to be individually marked.
- This manual process increased the likelihood of human error, and sometimes the punch would move between taps of the mallet, causing the die to be struck with the mint mark multiple times in slightly different positions.
- This resulted in the mint mark appearing offset, thicker, or with a trailing line, giving rise to repunched mint marks.
- You can spot RPMs by examining the mint mark closely, ideally using a magnifying glass or loupe.
- Look for doubling or overlapping edges in the mint mark.
- You can also consult online resources and guides specific to coin errors and varieties for particular years and mint marks.
- RPMs are considered rarer than many other minting errors because the hand-punching process was eventually phased out with the advent of modern minting techniques.
- While most RPMs may trade for a modest amount in circulated grades (around $5-$30), sharply struck examples with prominent doubling in high grades can sell for hundreds of dollars.
- Some of the most sought-after RPM coins include Lincoln Wheat Cents, Mercury Dimes , and Jefferson Nickels , with notable examples like the 1942-D Mercury Dime and 1944-D Lincoln Wheat Cent fetching significant premiums.
In essence, RPMs offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of coin production and are a testament to the era when human craftsmanship played a more direct role in the minting process. They are highly valued by collectors for their historical significance, rarity, and the visual intrigue they offer.
What is coin RPM?
Good point! 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.
What is an RPM error on a coin?
I can help with that. The mint mark was hammered into the die manually sometimes causing a die to have a doubling. In the minting process this would create a series of coins with a distinct of slight doubling of the mint mark. Millions of these errors can be located on the internet for sale and are referred to as RPM’s.
What does DDR mean in coin collecting?
Good point! DDO (Doubled Die Obverse): An obverse die that exhibits doubled images in one or more places. DDR (Doubled Die Reverse): A reverse die that displays doubled images in one or more locations. Dealer: A person or company regularly involved in buying and selling numismatic collectibles.
What does RPM stand for on a penny?
Thanks for asking. And it didn’t punch it right the first time so they punched it again. So we’re going to look through a bunch of coins. And see if we can find one and I honestly don’t know if we’ve got one or not.