Is there a easier way to tell the difference between a Type I and Type II than looking at the Mint Mark. I have two that are questionable and it will bug me until I find out for sure. One is marked as a Type I and the other a Type II. I will try and get some pictures up, but I cannot tell the difference under magnification so I do not have high hopes for anyone to be able to tell from a picture. Anyways just wondering if there is any other way to tell the difference. I was thinking about sending them in to get graded as that would confirm which Type they are. I have never sent in a coin for grading. Is there a minimum amount of coins you must send in? Thank you all in advance.
Alright here's the pictures. As to not sway anyone I will not tell you what I think is or is not a type I or II. COIN 1
It's hard for me to make out those tiny letters, even when I zoom in, but it looks to me that 1 + 1 = 1. Chris
both are type I The pictures that Doug has posted show it about as well as it gets. This page from the Lincoln Cent Resource is about Lincoln Cents, but the mint marks are the same. Maybe these pictures will help. Here's the link: http://lincolncentresource.com/San_Fransisco_Mintmark_Styles.html
You're not the only one disappointed by this news, I bought one thinking I just cherrypicked a type 2 set, no harm done though.
I'm out a bit of cash so that's what is getting me. Nothing major just could of been spent on more coins for my collection.
To be honest, I think both coins are type 2. The thing that denotes the '81 type 2 are the bulbous serifs on the ends of the S. Both of the OP's coins appear to have those bulbous serifs to me.
I'll bet ya money, marbles or chalk, Doug. Those are Type I. Both 1981 mint marks have serifs, but the Type II features a more exaggerated serif both top and bottom, especially the top. On both coins the mint marks are clear and therefore easy to distinguish, but the serifs appear to be normal, and not the exaggerated, bulbous ones of the Type II. I think that if you compared these in hand to a 1980 proof, you'd find that they're identical
Hmmm........ now i'm really unsure. :smile I guess there is only one way to find out for sure is to send them in to get graded. That's probably not going to happen so it might remain a mystery for now. Dang this is going to drive me crazy.
I don't collect SBAs, but zooming in all the way with a double click, the first one looked like it has the bulbous serif, while the second coin didn't. I can see where these would be tough to determine!
There are no serifs on the type 1 Mike, look at the pic I posted. Could I be wrong ? Of course, but I don't think I am.
If you look closely, Doug, there are serifs on both 1981 mint marks. The ones on the Type II are much more noticeable because they are almost cartoonish in their style. take a closer look at the 1979 Type II mint mark and you'll more clearly see the serifs of which I speak. The ends of the "S" are rounded and slightly bulbous, but not as pronounced as the 81 Type II mint mark. As an aside for those who aren't aware, the 1979 Type II mint mark is the same as the 1980 and 1981 Type I mint mark.
