Why does the "D" change positions on same year and mint?
1sparedoften
Posts: 1
Hi All,
Yes, I am a newbie. But I don't want to stay an ignorant newbie so I ask questions.
I have noticed that the "D" mintmark can be in at least 3 and sometimes 4 slightly, yet distinctly, different locations on several/most of the years in the 1950's wheat pennies. I am talking about comparing a 1953-D to a 1953-D. Not about cross-comparing years, such as a 1951-D to a 1954-D. I have noticed this change in only the "D" mint marks. For example, sometimes the back, straight side of the "D" is shifted hard to the LEFT and aligns more towards the center of the 9 than the usual "centered" position which has the right side of the "D" falling under the left side of the 5. In this case, the "D" doesn't even fall under the 5 at all. At other times it will be shifted hard to the RIGHT and line up more with the 5 and falls completely outside of the 9 to the right. At yet other times, the top of the "D" is tucked up HIGH into the 9 and the 5 centered left and right but high enough that the bottom of the 5 and the tail of the 9 are at least flush with the top of the "D" and in some years the tail of the 9 even drops down below the top of the "D". Yes, I do realize the tail of the 9 is longer and comes down below the bottom of the 5 anyway. I am trying to describe a position where there is no distinct margin of area, or gap, between them in the vertical direction. And lastly the LOW position where the "D" is centered left and right on the 9 and the 5 and positioned slightly lower down creating a distinct gap between the top of the "D" and the bottom of the 9 and 5. For discussion purposes I am naming them the "High", "Low", "Left" and "Right" positions.
I own several examples of all these positions in most of the years so I am not expecting them to be rare instances. I just want to know why. If anyone would volunteer their time and expertise in explaining this to me, or tell me where I can find reference material for this subject it would be extremely helpful.
Should I expect these same positional shifts in any other coins?
And one other little question while I am here if you don't mind. I have also noticed on one particular year and mint the last number in the date is slightly larger and shaped slightly different than others of same year and mint. Are these type of variations also to be expected in other coins?
All of these differences can be seen by the naked eye, but I have been using a magnifying glass and small flashlight to examine them in detail. I also took the time to show and describe these differences to another person, my daugher, and ask her to verify these changes since I wear eyeglasses and she doesn't. She agreed wholeheartedly they were in different locations and it wasn't a matter of failing eyesight. I could probably take pictures with my digital camera in macro mode if you would like to have them. I absolutely love to examine coins in this fashion but there is no need for me to spend this much time or be this diligent if these type of changes are the normal. I would truly appreciate any help you can give me
Respectfully,
Terry McKibben
Yes, I am a newbie. But I don't want to stay an ignorant newbie so I ask questions.
I have noticed that the "D" mintmark can be in at least 3 and sometimes 4 slightly, yet distinctly, different locations on several/most of the years in the 1950's wheat pennies. I am talking about comparing a 1953-D to a 1953-D. Not about cross-comparing years, such as a 1951-D to a 1954-D. I have noticed this change in only the "D" mint marks. For example, sometimes the back, straight side of the "D" is shifted hard to the LEFT and aligns more towards the center of the 9 than the usual "centered" position which has the right side of the "D" falling under the left side of the 5. In this case, the "D" doesn't even fall under the 5 at all. At other times it will be shifted hard to the RIGHT and line up more with the 5 and falls completely outside of the 9 to the right. At yet other times, the top of the "D" is tucked up HIGH into the 9 and the 5 centered left and right but high enough that the bottom of the 5 and the tail of the 9 are at least flush with the top of the "D" and in some years the tail of the 9 even drops down below the top of the "D". Yes, I do realize the tail of the 9 is longer and comes down below the bottom of the 5 anyway. I am trying to describe a position where there is no distinct margin of area, or gap, between them in the vertical direction. And lastly the LOW position where the "D" is centered left and right on the 9 and the 5 and positioned slightly lower down creating a distinct gap between the top of the "D" and the bottom of the 9 and 5. For discussion purposes I am naming them the "High", "Low", "Left" and "Right" positions.
I own several examples of all these positions in most of the years so I am not expecting them to be rare instances. I just want to know why. If anyone would volunteer their time and expertise in explaining this to me, or tell me where I can find reference material for this subject it would be extremely helpful.
Should I expect these same positional shifts in any other coins?
And one other little question while I am here if you don't mind. I have also noticed on one particular year and mint the last number in the date is slightly larger and shaped slightly different than others of same year and mint. Are these type of variations also to be expected in other coins?
All of these differences can be seen by the naked eye, but I have been using a magnifying glass and small flashlight to examine them in detail. I also took the time to show and describe these differences to another person, my daugher, and ask her to verify these changes since I wear eyeglasses and she doesn't. She agreed wholeheartedly they were in different locations and it wasn't a matter of failing eyesight. I could probably take pictures with my digital camera in macro mode if you would like to have them. I absolutely love to examine coins in this fashion but there is no need for me to spend this much time or be this diligent if these type of changes are the normal. I would truly appreciate any help you can give me
Respectfully,
Terry McKibben
The best way to learn is by asking!
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