Why’s this “8” so small?

Maserati27

I couldn’t really find anything about a small and large date 1987 Lincoln cent. Just wondering if anyone knows about this

yosclimber

It was just a style thing. All the 8s were shorter than the 9 and 7 on 1987 Lincoln cents.

jmlanzaf

The 8 is normal, the 9 and 7 are huge!

ricko

Just a font anomaly... not special.... valid question though for someone looking closely at coins...Cheers, RickO

Jimnight

Same as above.

291fifth

Just an artistic decision on the part of the mint.

Onastone

Reminds me of that old joke....Why was 6 so afraid of 9? Because 9 8 7 .

Hallco

@Onastone said:
Reminds me of that old joke....Why was 6 so afraid of 9? Because 9 8 7 .

Yes! And also the one that would have the reply "that's what sh..." oops. Nevermind.

abcde12345

The "8" is not too small. the "1" "9" and "7" are too big.

ReadyFireAim

The font came from the use of a dip pen.
(later a fountain pen)
As the tip of the nib wears down on a steel pen they are less & less willing to go left. (it got scratchy and would catch)
Writers often didn't close O, 9 or 6 and other numbers were written slightly different.

Odd numbers dipped below the base line & even ones started higher and ended at the base line.
(except for 1 & 0)

Now days only the 6 starts higher but the 2, 4 & 8 used to.

emeraldATV

Never heard about that.