The prolific Micro S MM punch

crypto79

For reasons unknown in the late 1870s someone in the San Francisco Mint die prep office decided they really like the micro S punch that was set aside for the half dimes or Dimes. Not only did they use them on Trade dollars but half dollars are also known in the same date range. Does anybody known exactly where the punch is from? I have look over some coins on auction but haven't found a slam dunk match.

Here are the Trade Dollar sub-set, the 75 is by the rarest while the other 2 are not very scarce. On a strange note, all three are on type 2 Rev even though both 75&76 are known with both type 1 and 2 rev and there isn't a type 1 known with the punch. All dates are also known with large S rev's

keyman64

I can't help with your question but I have always found it very strange when a super-tiny-itsy-bitsy-micro-s was used on large coins in general. I just have never understood.

crypto79

To be honest it reminds me of the unique 1870s half dime punch

messydesk

The small S was also used on all 1878 Morgan dollars as well as 1879-S Rev. of '78. Also, I think all 1879-S Rev. of '79 use a larger mint mark. Along with the small S beign used in 1878, the CC used was also smaller than all other years.

Also, mint marks were applied to the dies in Philadelphia, not at the branch mints.

ranshdow

The S's on the eagles of that era are tiny as well.

CaptHenway

I have a theory that in that era each Engraver and Assistant Engraver was responsible for making his own Mint Mark punches, and that so long as they were legible the size did not matter. When that person was marking dies he used his own punches.

ricko

Interesting, but very plausible theory CaptHenway.... Cheers, RickO