I have this '81 set which I bought in about '84-87 timeframe. Never knew to look for the S Mintmark. So here it goes (posting in two parts because it only lets me post 5 pics at a time and I have 6. So I'm splitting them up to three each post.
'81 Proof Set - need help with S MM's - Type 1 or 2? (second set pics) Second set of pics from '81 Proof Set.
It looks like Type 1 to me...the mint mark for Type 2 is more flat looking. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm going with type 1.
It's actually hard for me to tell whithout seeing the coin up close. My hats off to you guys if you can tell from those pictures!
Thank You. Thank You, guess it's Type II, 2-1. So Type II wins out. It is such a small thing, but in this case not easy to tell the difference without experience.
I still really think it's a Type 1. Remember...there is a 1979 Type 1 and 2 and a 1981 Type 1 and 2. 1979 Type 2 = 1981 Type 1. This is a 1981 set.
I'm not discounting your opinion...I think I need to get more edumacated on this. But was trying to thank the people who replied (a bit cheekily by calling it on a best 2 out of 3 to"win").
Okay, I just saw and recognized the photographs again. I bet my life that your set is a Type 2. Who else is betting?
I just went through this with my '81 set a few weeks ago. This set looks to be T2.....BUT the quarter and SBA do look to be Type 1 to me.
A HUGE Thanks to all: set is PARTIAL T2 only - the SBA and Quarter are T1 Thank you so much. I went and looked with my 14X loupe and the SBA and Quarter are indeed a type 1. You can tell because It looks like they have the connecting diagonal between the ends of the S, top and bottom, so that It looks more like a strange figure 8 instead of an S, or to put it another way, looks like a mild diagonal bar is apparent "under" and "showing" in the field of the S. So it is not a full type 2 set. Boo Hoo, but I sure learned about this more.
OK, well that makes me feel a whole lot better. I was looking at the SBA because that's the real key of the T2. I'm glad to know I'm not crazy.
Your Susan B. Anthony coin is a Type 2. Compare your photograph against this photograph that I found on the Internet:
Further Clarification on the SMA in set. Porshe2007, Thank you for sharing the photo for comparison. I agree (after reading up on the differences) that the photo you provided at top is definitely a Type 1, and that the photo I provided first of my SBA in the set doesn't appear distinctly like that. But I also am finding that the way I use my camera (dino) with the attached light as opposed to using it without it's attached light on and using a different light source, that I can get a "different" look at what is there. And looking at the S with the loupe shows that the S MM has the angled bottom serif, but the real kicker is that all the S's except the Quarter and SBA have no field impairment, whereas the quarter and the SBA in my set have what looks like a crater with a sand-blasted effect and you cannot see the actual field as you can outside the S. On the internet I found this guide, which clarifies that this "sand-blasted" inside loop finish is type 1 only. You can find the guide I used for this at http://reviews.ebay.com/Proof-Sets-Of-1979-And-1981_W0QQugidZ10000000002973312. Also I am including more pics showing the first one I used, and then to the left of that two other views of same mintmark using different light source to try to image it better. I have to say now that I am learning that the bottom serif with it's angle vs the bulbous bottom serif, as well as the ridged S vs non-ridged (flat) S are the points to look for. But it still is very difficult and may actually only be able to be seen by the eye vs camera views (especially through the plastic protector for the proof set). I appreciate you helping me out on this, along with the others who have commented. I hope you can see by the photo I am now providing why I am saying this.
