I thought I'd post some pictures of Lincolns I'm pulling up while sorting through my hoard. Comments are always appreciated, whether you like the coins or not. Same coin closeup of date and MM
My comment is about the 1944-S. I recently started buying bulk Wheat Cents from a local coin shop and some of the best looking coins out the 17 pound bag were the 1944-s. I am curious as to why so many 1944-S are in AU+ condition while later cents are not. Anyone have an explanation ?
Marshall, what am I supposed to be seeing on that 44-S that I am missing? BTW, AU +-55 kangayou, my guess is that someone in you neighborhood was saving them. Aside from the fact that they had the highest mintage of that era, there is no other reason for them being popular.
There was a lot of "propaganda" about the '44 cents using copper that had been reclaimed from shell casings. Many of the public found this as great personal pride and support, as copper was so limited for the public in WWII, so they kept a lot of the 44 cents from the bank when they became available after the year of steel cents. This is mainly hearsay, so take as one wishes
It's not a trick. I'm not well versed in Lincolns, so I'm just posting things which seem unusual without knowing why. The first looked to be a strangely shaped and mislocated MM. After looking at a picture, it appears to be PMD rather than a MM, BUT maybe some minor doubling on the reverse. The second appeared to have fat numbers, but I couldn't tell if it was from wear or doubling. The 1944-S looked to be an inverted MM, but I now understand it is one of two styles used in 1944 and the punch doesn't appear to have been used as if there were a top or bottom with it appearing with the fat part on both top and bottom indiscriminately. I was actually seeking information rather than asking rhetorical questions.
First is PMD Second is most likely die wear. As they use (over used?) the dies, the lettering et al become mooched out. Circulation wear adds to the appearance. Third your 1944-S looks like the normal "S" to me. See http://lincolncentresource.com/San_Fransisco_Mintmark_Styles.html. They specifically show the 1944-S.
Check your 46-S's very carefully, so far their the only year with an inverted MM. There may be other years as well, look how long it took for someone to notice the 46-S...
Is this the Large S or Small S? Now I'm really confused. It doesn't look even close to either MM of 1928-S. Both of those are almost closed and this is open on both top and bottom.
As far as the 1940 goes?.. I'd venture to say it's a small S But then again after I think about it. I'm not aware of a MM Variation for S MM's for that year.
The 40 is clean enough that I am pretty sure it is a small "S". That 28 is just too messed up to see which "S" that is without a bigger picture.
1944-S double date ? I was checking all the XF-AU 44-s that I've been pulling and there seems to be a wide variety of strikes in the details , dates & mint marks. Some seem very weak and blury & others are very sharp. None of the coins look worn and all have 1/2 to all of their luster. Does this just represent EDS , MDS & LDS ?
As badly corroded as that is, it is still mostly a guess. However, the middle of the large "S" is sloped down while the small "S" is just about horizontal. Yours looks horizontal to me.
I think this is one you need to send to one of the experts. It looks strong relative to many of their varieties and it isn't listed. It could be Mechanical Doubling, but it's worth investigating.
