Help with an SBA mint mark - 1981

MajorDuty

This first picture is from smalldollars.com and shows an example of a 1981 Type 1 SBA and a Type 2 SBA of the same year.



My pictures, which I apologize are not that great, taken by a friend who was having trouble not focusing on the plastic, are of two 1981 SBAs. One is obviously a Type 1, but the other one looks a little different and I can't confirm its type.

You'll see that in this first picture the mint mark looks just like the Type 1 pictured above. The top of the "S" is totally lacking any serifs, and the overall shape looks just like the T1 above.



Now this second picture, posted below, exhibits rather large bulbous serifs, and while it is not clear in the picture, the fields within the "S" are extremely clear. The shape of the "S" in hand looks a little differently too. This isn't a Type 2, is it?

WoodenJefferson

The 79's were easy to spot, the "S" was a blob (filled S) on the type I, but the type II had a much clearer "S" with visible fields within the mint mark. The Type II 1979 mint mark was first used on the 1981 coins and then changed to the much more pronounced serif mint mark. Confused yet?

1979 Type I filled S (blob)
1979 Type II clear S (fields visible)
1981 Type I clear S (fields visible)
1981 Type II clear S (serif lobes w/ visible fields)

Hope this helps and is accurat info.

I think you have both type I

Coindexter

They're both type one.

MajorDuty

Yeah, dexter, I think you're right. The picture doesn't show the mark well, but it's probably still a T1. It does look a little different in hand, but that might be from a difference in minting pressures.

The 1979 T1 is reletively easy to spot.

This is a 1979, raw, and it's a T2, yes?

WoodenJefferson

You got it MajorDuty...the 81 type II are easily identifyable, the "S" is really open and larger and the serif bulbs on the ends are quite distinct. Think of the type II mint mark like a snake that does not to want to touch it's self anywhere along the curled up line...layed out with extra room...that's a type II

Want to discuss rim widths on SBA next? lol

zkcoins

I was going to say exactly what has been said. It is definitely type I. The type II's are very noticeable since the S is so clear compared to the type I.

Heywood

Does the same hold true for the 81 Kennedy Type 2s?

MajorDuty

<< <i>Does the same hold true for the 81 Kennedy Type 2s? >>



Good question. I know it does for the '79.

Can anyone confirm that the last picture I posted, a couple replies above, is a Type 2? That is from a 1979 and not an '81 like my initial post. I believe the last picture I posted to be a 1979 Type 2, but would appreciate second opinions.

MajorDuty

"Bueler...Bueler" ?

Coindexter

Generally with the 79s if you can see "daylight" within the S you've got a T2. That looks like a T2 to me.

MajorDuty

<< <i>Generally with the 79s if you can see "daylight" within the S you've got a T2. That looks like a T2 to me. >>



Thank you for the reply, dexter. I too thought it was a T2 when I saw it in my little, local antique/coin store, and bought the whole set for $10! The Kennedy, and every coin in the '79 set in question is a T2, imo. I was stoked when I saw it, but wanted a confirming pat on the back.

Coindexter

That's a heck of a score. I'll give ya $20 fer it.

MajorDuty

It is my first official cherry pick. Certainly not the big dollar kind I constantly read about around here, but it was still nice to finally pick something up at a great price.

Russ

<< <i>Can anyone confirm that the last picture I posted, a couple replies above, is a Type 2? That is from a 1979 >>



No question it's a type 2. For 1979, the type 1 mintmark is a blob.

Russ, NCNE

cladking

<< <i>You got it MajorDuty...the 81 type II are easily identifyable, the "S" is really open and larger and the serif bulbs on the ends are quite distinct. Think of the type II mint mark like a snake that does not to want to touch it's self anywhere along the curled up line...layed out with extra room...that's a type II

Want to discuss rim widths on SBA next? lol >>



That's a good description. I think of it as the top of the '81 type 2 looks like it's trying to fly away.

None of these give me any troble when I have them in hand but there are different types other
than the recognized two types and they vary from die to die a little and from coin to coin even
more. I'm not nearly so confident in judging them from pictures unless they are obviously type 1
or 2.

Both dates have the same characteristics from one denomination to another.

None of these is especially scarce and high prices for the dollar and one of the cents is more a function
of demand rather than scarcity. You might want to pay some attention to those with a larger premium
of the other denominations if you're seeking value.