1970-S Lincoln Proof small or large date help please

coinsarefun

I looked and the more I look the more I get confused

Are either a small date? Or are both large like I think they are?

pharmer

Both look large to me also, Stefanie. Here's a link to a diagnostic that Chuck Daughtrey discovered:

large vs small 1970-S cent diagnostic

coinsarefun

<< <i>Both look large to me also, Stefanie. Here's a link to a diagnostic that Chuck Daughtrey discovered:

large vs small 1970-S cent diagnostic >>





Is that the unc. ones? Are they both determined that way?

I was looking here

pharmer

Ken's is the traditional method of telling them apart, and how I've always done it. CD came up with a new diagnostic which he obviously feels is definitive.

cmerlo1

Both coins are large date.

The trick to identifying these is for forget you ever heard anything about 'high 7' and 'level 7'. Although these are characteristics of the large and small date coins, respectively, you will go crazy trying to ID them that way. There is a 2-step approach, that leaves no question:

1. 'LIBERTY' is very weak on the small date hub, for both business strikes and proofs. If LIBERTY is strong and well-defined, it's a large date. If it isn't, or you're still not sure, go to step 2.
2. The inner point of the '9' in the date is squared-off on a large date, and tapers to a point on the small date. If the inner point of the '9' is square, it's a large date, no matter where you think the 7 is in relation to the zero.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Both coins are large date.

The trick to identifying these is for forget you ever heard anything about 'high 7' and 'level 7'. Although these are characteristics of the large and small date coins, respectively, you will go crazy trying to ID them that way. There is a 2-step approach, that leaves no question:

1. 'LIBERTY' is very weak on the small date hub, for both business strikes and proofs. If LIBERTY is strong and well-defined, it's a large date. If it isn't, or you're still not sure, go to step 2.
2. The inner point of the '9' in the date is squared-off on a large date, and tapers to a point on the small date. If the inner point of the '9' is square, it's a large date, no matter where you think the 7 is in relation to the zero. >>







Thanks, that helps a ton. I thought they both were large dates
But it's confined here

LotsoLuck

Not small dates. Trying to use the method like you illustrated in your thread is sorta hard. I think it is easier to look at the 9 and how it curls into itsself (small date) much more than the large date.

Cameonut

For those that struggle with small vs large dates, don't feel bad.

ICG had some difficulty themselves a number of years ago when I bought a dcam proof example that was questionable. Ultimately I returned the coin to ICG for them to re-examine and they agreed they made a mistake by certifying it as a small date when, in fact, it was a large date. They bought it back after they could not find a replacement piece anywhere in PR68 dcam.

That's when I learned to look at Liberty instead of the date. Good suggestion to also look at the 9.

frnklnlvr

Like others have said both are large dates. I use the 9 to determine whether an example is large or small date. On large dates the inner curl of the 9 points to the S mint-mark. On small dates the inner curl of the 9 points to the 7.

ricko

Informative thread.... with the combination of diagnostics given, it should make identification of small/large dates much easier. Cheers, RickO