by George Wilkinson

Two exciting varieties to collect. Two formidable tasks that require a steady stream of knowledge, information and most importantly, help if you decide to explore their potential enjoyment and challenge. Here is some information and ....help.

You should be familiar with the minting process before you dwell to deeply into acquiring RPMs and OMMs. It would be wiser to have more than just a cursory knowledge of the minting process of course, so it is recommend that you try to obtain a book or reference on this subject when you can.

RPM and OMM varieties are closely associated with the DIE as part of the overall minting process, so it is also highly recommended that you at least perceive how a DIE is created and obtain reference materials on this specific subject too. As you read this RPM and OMM information, you will understand the importance of gaining knowledge about the die-making process.

At the mint, a die is created. When the die is almost finished by the mint workers there comes the task of placing the mintmark on the die before it will be used to produce millions of coins.

The mint employee who puts the mintmark on the die is commonly referred to as the ENGRAVER. The engraver is sitting behind a counter or table. In front of him or her will be clamps or a device commonly know as a "vice". The die is secured between this clamp or vice so it will not move during the remainder of this process. On the table nearby, the engraver will have a detailed sketch or drawing of the coin design. On this drawing there will be a special highlighted area where the mintmark is to be placed. By "area" we are referring to a specific designated place on the die that is much wider and longer than the actual size of a mintmark. There is plenty of room or latitude for the engraver to work within. This latitude explains why you will find a "S" mintmark say, for 1955 cents, in different locations under the date. For instance, on one die for 1955 S cents the mintmark was placed just to the right or east under the "9" of the date. On another die the mintmark is found directly under the "5" of the date. Both mintmarks are within the space or area shown on the sketch, yet in different locations.

The mintmark punch is typical of punches you can purchase at any hardware store. At the mint, the shaft of the punches are color-coded by using different colors of paint so the engraver can easily determine which punch has the mintmark of "D" or "S" and so on. The shaft of the punch is "V" shaped. This "V" shape grooving on the side of the shaft allows the engraver to readily "feel" that the punch is in the proper unright (or normal) position. At the end of the punch is the letter of the mintmark in its normal size, shape, etc.

The engraver looks at the sketch and the location or area where the mintmark is to be positioned or placed. Once the engraver is satisfied that the "V" shaped grooves are in his hand correctly and that the tip of the punch that has the mintmark of "D" or "S", etc., is the proper position, the thick end or top of the punch is hit firmly by a mallet.

How hard is the punch hit ? However hard the engravers experience, expertise, judgement and ability deems appropriate. How many times is the punch hit ? However many times the engravers experience, expertise, judgement and ability deems appropriate. No one really knows the answer to this question. But one thing is for sure - RPM'ers and OMM'ers can at least intelligently guess how hard and how many times. That's one of the primary reasons they collect these varieties in the first place !

It is generally accepted consensus of RPM and OMM collectors that the engraver strikes the punch with the mallet more than one time in order to assure that the mintmark is sufficiently imprinted into the die face. However, it is equally noteworthy that many times the mintmark is placed on the die with only one blow to the mallet in the opinion of some experts.

RPMs occur after the engraver strikes the mallet with the first blow to the top of the punch. Remember that the mintmark punch is hand held and struck by the mallet in this manner. After the first blow, the engraver will check that the mintmark has been placed inside the designated area that is on the sketch. A careful check will also be made to assure that the mintmark punched into the die is clearly visible and sufficient enough for the coining process. If, in the judgement of the engraver, another blow with the mallet is required the punch is placed back on top to the original mintmark and struck again, or again, or again, or .... until the engraver is satisfied.

The exact repositioning of the tip of the punch on top of the mintmark already placed on the die requires a steady hand, keen eyesight, and solid nerves. If the mintmark at the tip of the punch for the second strike is not positioned exactly on top of the existing mintmark then a RPM has been created. If a third, fourth, fifth, six, etc., blows occur then multiples of the mintmark can and have appeared. This inaccuracy is the foundation for the joy of searching for RPM's !

A OMM is a coin that has two (2) different letters or mintmarks punched into the same die. It is generally accepted by the RPM and OMM variety community that there are two primary reasons why a die would have two distinctly different mintmarks.

The first reason is premised upon economic measures instituted by the Mint. A die already has, say, a "D" mintmark in the die. The die can continue to be used to produce coins, so a decision is made by the mint to use the "D" mintmark die for "S" mintmark coins. It is ordered that a "S" be punched on top of the original "D". The "S" mintmark coins with the "D" underneath are produced and a OMM is created for the collector !

The second reason is not associated with mint policy, practices, or cost-saving efforts, but rather, a unintentional mistake by the engraver. Remember that the punch the engraver used is colored so they would know which punch had a "D", "S" etc. ? Picture that the engraver has a die which requires a "D" mintmark. The "S' punch is unintentional picked-up and the blow by the mallet is struck. The engraver is checking this first blow to be assure it is inside the area shown on the sketch. The engraver sees the "S" mintmark was used and not the "D". An error has occurred. Instead of discarding the die the engraver simply takes the correct "D" mintmark punch and "covers" his mistake with it via several blows to the mallet. No harm done. The die is usable for its life in the coining press.

Conversely, the engraver may not even notice that a "S" has been placed on the die intended for a "D". An interruption, break, lunch, etc., and the engraver returns to the task at hand. Pick-up the colored punch with the "D" mintmark and strike one or more blows to the mallet without looking at the original or error "S" mintmark that is showing. The engraver unintentionally made a mistake and never knew it. If the engraver did look and did see the "S" no one but the engraver will ever know.

RPMs and OMMs come in many different forms and configurations. No in-depth discussion of these attributes is necessary right now, but for your enjoyment of "the hunt", RPMs and OMMs can be found in a vertical over horizontal position: a vertical over inverted position: on top or under the number (s) of the date: with two totally separated mintmarks: even tilted: and, the overlapping of a mintmark once or several times in succession.

If terms such as "inverted" or "vertical" or "tilted" seem confusing, even contradictory, when thinking of the engraver sitting there at the bench with the punch in hand that is waiting to be struck by the mallet then welcome to the great realm of RPM and OMM collecting ! Whatever you do, don't fret over the terms. If you are confused, maybe even overwhelmed, the SDDCA will help you because it is devoted to providing assistance and expanding the base of knowledge and information about RPMs, OMMs, and doubled die varieties. In this club you are never alone !

Lastly, don't forget that since 1990 the mintmark has been made directly on the die. There will be no true RPMs and OMMs from 1990 to the present. No big deal, though. There are thousands and thousand out there in variety-land just waiting to be collected and discovered. By you !

What is a Doubled Die?	What is Mechanical Doubling?
What is an RPM, OMM?	What is an RPD, MPD, OD?