Home U.S. Coin Forum
Options

1944-S Mercury Dime Mintmarks (Is this one inverted?)

StrikeOutXXXStrikeOutXXX Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
There are many inverted mint marks listed for 1945-S on Mercs: http://doubleddie.com/1179161.html


I found this one, thought it looked odd, but can't find anything on inverted 1944-S's

Looking at many examples on eBay and Heritage, I noticed they used a few different styles of "S" mintmarks, and even found a match to this without anything mentioned as being inverted.

Anyone have a few close-ups of different 44-S to compare? Is this just one of the basic mintmarks for the year?

image
image
image
------------------------------------------------------------

"You Suck Award" - February, 2015

Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101

Comments

  • BodinBodin Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭
    In my opinion, it looks as if the left side of the upper loop got smooshed and that made the upper left look as if it is upside down, symmetrically.
  • StrikeOutXXXStrikeOutXXX Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>In my opinion, it looks as if the left side of the upper loop got smooshed and that made the upper left look as if it is upside down, symmetrically. >>



    There is a hit there, which I think exaggerates the upside down part for sure. The image below I think matches what mine would have looked like long ago - kind of a trumpet tail, but looking at the 1945 Inverted MMs at the link in the OP, the smaller open space section at the bottom of the S versus the top was more what was my wonder as to being inverted.

    image

    EDIT: 2 other types of MM on 44-S's:


    image
    image
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    "You Suck Award" - February, 2015

    Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yep...looks more like a hit than an inversion...Cheers, RickO
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,527 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are multiple 1940s dates that have different style mint marks that are not recognized as being very significant.
    For instance the 1942-Trumpet Tail S is not viewed as significant in the CPG whereas the 1943-Trumpet Tail S is. Strange, I know.
    As for this coin, it does look interesting but because it is a circulated example that opens itself up to hits and metal movement,
    it is harder to be sure. I'll try to do some digging to see if I can find anything else. There is of course the 1942-Inverted S.
    Below is a pic I put together that shows those differences.

    image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • StrikeOutXXXStrikeOutXXX Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Greg, I think this was a case of wishful thinking, circulated/smooshed mintmark, and comparing the "S" to other years (as I only had 1 other 44-S on hand).

    Looking through Dr. Wiles' e-book, seems this is a

    MMS-005 (Straight Serifs) used in 1943 and 1944.
    http://varietyvista.com/Mercury%20Dime%20Files/San%20Francisco%20Mintmark%20Styles.htm

    The smaller pocket within the "S" at the bottom versus the top is normal for this year. On other years, it could be the inverted MM.

    I bought one of those red 2x2 boxes full of circulated mercs sight-unseen at coin club last week (100 or so) but nothing near as interesting as the last oddity box.

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    "You Suck Award" - February, 2015

    Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,527 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good stuff digging through a box of Mercs! It is always fun. image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    After comparing the OP's coin's MM and the MM of the 42-S inverted S......I think the OP's coin is a normal S and not inverted. I base this on the shapes of the inside openings of top and bottom of both coins.
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    It looks like you are having fun with dimes.

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • StrikeOutXXXStrikeOutXXX Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It looks like you are having fun with dimes. >>



    I have fun with anything really - just a matter of finding them locally (I'm in a remote area).

    I really need to upgrade my loupes and maybe get into a dino-lite though, my eyes are starting to get old.
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    "You Suck Award" - February, 2015

    Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file