RPM/OMM Detail

Repunched mint marks (RPMs) and over mint marks (OMMs) can appear in many different forms. A generalized system of noting the direction of spread for a given variety tells collectors where to look for a secondary mint mark. The direction of spread is always noted as the compass direction one must travel from the primary mint mark (the most overlaying mint mark) to the secondary or subsequent mint mark(s). The chart to the right shows this system graphically using D over D as the example, but this system works the same for S over S RPMs and all OMMs.

1.RPMs and OMMs are described as one letter "over" another letter. The one that is noted first (the most overlaying mark) is called the "primary mint mark", and all others are called "secondary mint marks". This is abbreviated with a slash "/" between the mint mark letters (see number 3 for exception).

2.Secondary mint marks that show separation only in the serifs of the mint mark letter are normally described as "tilted", meaning the second (or subsequent)punching was not flush with the first punching. This rule only applies to RPMs. OMMs that are very close to being centered on one another are described with the word "centered".

3.Secondary mint marks that have a complete separation (do not touch) from the primary mint mark are described with the word "and" or the symbol "&" between the mint mark letters instead of the standard slash "/".

4.Third and subsequent punchings are noted with the word "and" or the symbol "&" between the direction of spread for each subsequent mint mark, but all are described with directional indicators that relate to the primary mint mark. The following rules apply:

Any mint mark with a simple directional spread (such as north, south, east, or west) from the primary is always noted before any other mint marks with complex directional spreads (such as southwest, northeast, etc.)

Any mint mark with a rotation, tilt, or complete separation from the primary mint mark are always described after those in which a cardinal direction can accurately describe their direction of spread, (eg., D/D/D north and tilted, not D/D/D tilted and north.)

For RPMs with triple or more punchings with more than one punching following a cardinal directional spread, describe them from the north going clockwise around the primary mint mark, (eg., D/D/D north and east, not D/D/D east and north.)

For more complex RPMs (containing four or more punchings), describe them as closely to the order of preference above as possible, (eg., D/D/D/D north, south, and tilted, not D/D/D/D south, tilted, and north - or any other combination that would not meet the rules above in order).


				*RPM/OMM Detail*