1980S SBA$ Small Stars & Large Stars variety

DRG

I was wondering if anyone had any input about these coins. Breen mentions a small stars variety proof for 1979 but does not metion mint state coins or 1980S coins. I have had one expert state that it is a "Die State" issue, in other words just a worn die. I think that these photos dispute this as the "Small Stars" coin is obviously a very fresh die state yet the third star to the left of the date is much smaller than most coins.


Link to ebay sale with photo's

I tried to give just the photos but I am not that great with computers. This is not a cheap plug for my sale I would really like some input.

Both of the coins pictured are fairly early die states in my opinion. The "Small Stars" earlier then the other.

Gilbert

Maybe when "he" was talking about a "worn die" he meant the coin was struck from a worn Proof die.

I vaguely remember reading about the stars in Breens' book and I also recall it was related to Proofs. Haven't looked at SBAs in a while; there seems to be several coins in which the the third star on the left are smaller. Don't think it ever generated much interest though.

BTW, I noticed that the images you have superimposed also have dissimilar mintmarks. What are the two coins?

Dabigkahuna

Wow!


David,

This is interesting stuff! I can't really tell by the pics but the coin on the top coin looks thave some doubling on the date?

I haven't noticed this with the stars before on the 80-s but Looking thru some 99-D's, I thought I found some difference in the stars to the left of the bust. My eyes were poping out at that time and when I went back to double check I could't find the difference again!

Please let us know if you find out anything further.

Larry
Dabigkahuna

DRG

Larry: There is no doubling on the coin. It is just a shadow in the photo. I have not seen small/large stars on the 1999 coins but I have on mint state 1979 coins.

Gilbert: The possibility that this is a proof die has always been high on my list. All of the coins made from early die states of the small star variety that I have seen have a very different appearence to them. It is noticable in the photos. The small star coin has a pebbled or sand blasted look that I have never seen on the large star coins. The 2 coins are both 1980S SBA$'s. I think the mint mark difference is actually a die state issue with the large stars a more worn die.