Ahhh, okay thanks! I was looking at the top of the 7. Also the end of the 9 is pointing south-east . Thank you for this picture, it'll help a ton! Thanks, Ben
Large date, the strike of liberty is actually a better indicator than the date itself and it appears to have been worn or damaged through circulation, etc.
I found Cent Project's website really helpful, because the 1970s small date is so tricky (at least for me)! The link below addresses the Liberty and 9 issues as well, but I found this tip to work best for me: "The one tell tale sign between the two that NEVER fails is a crease that runs horizontally across the top of the diagonal of the 7 on ALL large date cents. That crease is completely absent on ALL small date cents (this works for proofs too). Take a look at the photos below and see for yourself...and enjoy collecting!" 1970S date comparison - Large date is on top: http://www.thecentproject.com/sort1970.php ETA: You can see it in the photos @spirityoda posted as well.
I picked up a 1970 SMS w/ a small date in it for the simple reason that I also had never encountered one in circulation...and because it was a beautiful red coin. Once you get a large date and small date side by side, they're easy to tell apart. I realize the top of the 7 is level on the small date, but in hand, it kinda looks like it's positioned too high relative to the other numbers...that's my diagnostic anyway.
