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by George Wilkinson
A OMM is a coin that has (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.
Photomicrographs provided by John A. Wexler and Mr. Z
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 !
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