I was going through a mixed roll of small dollars today. I found 3 1979-S SBA Dollars. Now, redbook says that these were only minted as Proofs. These definitely do NOT look like proofs. so I double checked the mintmark with a jeweler's loop (16X). It is definitely 1979-S Variety I Filled "S". Any ideas or comments as to value or rarity? Probably just another dollar, right?
Somebody probably split up a proof set and spent the dollars. As far as I can recall you are correct that these were minted for proof sets(I could be wrong). Then again they have been in circulation so no telling what happened. I have no clue as to the value. Could you post a picture - I am more curious as to see what a circulated proof looks like.
As soon as I go to the camera store and buy the macro lens I've been drooling over for months, I will get a photo and send it. At first they looked like standard circulating coins, and I was checking mintmarks for my Whitman folder. I almost set these aside as D's, but something was awry. I pulled out the 16X loupe and lo and behold, just like in the Red Book, a FILLED S. I will post a picture after my next payday, probably!
Cool - out of all the searching I have done(granted never tons of rolls) I have never found a S coin from a proof set. Sigh.
This usually happens when there is a coin collection robbery somewhere. The crooks don't have any idea of coin values and just spend all the coins as if they were just coins. If they do know what they have the still are afaid of trying to sell them so again, they end up in change. Many go through coin counters in stores or banks and get beet up pretty much before being found. A proof that has scratches, wear marks, dents, etc would not be worth to much at all.
Look at your Redbook again, you missed something 1979P Narrow rim..........360,222,000 1979P Wide rim..........................* 1979D .......................288,015,744 1979S .......................109,576,000 1979S Proof Filled S........(3,677,175) 1979S Proof Clear S ..................* * = included above figures in ( ) are proof mintages Notice folks, he said it does NOT look like a proof.
Sorry, this still gives me no reason to get a Red Book! I posted a question some time ago asking for use for a Red Book, the best reply was stick it under the coffee table leg to keep it balanced.
Although the prices in the Guide Book are dated, since it takes months to come out, the info in the different coin types is invaluable. Examples: 1) Mintages for each date & mint: this info is not easily available elsewhere, it is what got me started on collecting seated dimes, look at the low mintages and their related prices, they seem way underpriced; the same with many Seated quarters. 2) coin types, the short history of the design and designer is great reading, kinda like reading a whole bunch of short stories. 3) the info on the metallic content, plus weights. enabled me to identify a coin as struck on a foreign planchet. 4) Hawaiian money, with the info in the back of my head, I bought a Hawaiian quarter, slabbed ANACS in XF-40 for $20, even red book value at the time = $100. 5) collect the different years, a study of the change in prices for various types is fascinating, it gives a long range study of the history of any coin's change in value. 6) collect the Guide Books from the beginning (1947) and you will see a great history of the hobby as it developed, from just listing uncs to the multigrades of uncs. Also, the addition and acceptance of different varieties as they are discovered and accepted as an essential part of the hobby. 7) There are two parts, in the early years yeoman had a commentary on teh hobby each year in his intro, a snapshot of the hobby at the time. Today, there are excellent essays on different aspects of the hobby, from treasure coins, to errors, and other subjects such as auction results. each essay is unique to the Guide Book and not available elsewhere. So, if this dosen't convince you, then I give up. Anyway, have fun.
Glad it works for you but my coffee table is level! I did buy a box of Red Books for $3 at a yard sale this past summer I think they ran from 62 or 65 to someyear in the early 80's. Sold them on ebay for 20 something dollars.
Check this http://www.coinfacts.com/small_cents/lincoln_cents/memorial_cents/1979s_cent.htm link out. Notice the 0 in circulation strikes. As far as I can recall I do not remember seeing a "s" circulated penny from about 1971 and on. It was my understanding back then that the mint decided to use "s" mint marks in proof sets only. So which is right - the red book or coin facts web site? I find it hard to believe 109 million were minted and never one made it to my pocket. For 15 years I have collected change for each of my nephews, searched it, then deposited in a jar. They get them at xmas time -never had a 79S. I do recall a couple of 70S and 69S - that is where the 71 date came from above. I have not looked for confirmation of my claim above - just something I recalled from way back when. Will have to look when I get home from work. It is not the worth of the coin - I have read several posts here where someone pulled a proof out of a roll of coins - I would just like to find one.
I completely agree. The redbook is a great source of info. When people say its worthless, I think they're usually referring to the use of the book to price coins, because the values listed are not accurate.
Now that is utterly rediculous. What are the chances any coffee table leg is that short. Now due to settlements of the ground outside I constantly have things tipping over so the Red Book would be advantageous there. Then if you get a flat tire and no spare, put the Red Book under the drum or rotar while you have the tire fixed. If you have a bookcase and many of the books fall over, use a Red Book to hold them upright. Fantastic to start fireplaces if no newspapers are available. Not long ago I sent a multi, multi page message to Whitman about all the errors in the 2006 Edition. The 2007 Edition is not much better and came out about 6 to 8 Months to early. Now the 2008 is done printing and will be in the mail next Month. Nuts. I expect the 2010 Edition to be out by December.
Thanks for the welcomes, and I must have just mis-read my RedBook. Just an accidental glance over. If my d***ed Whitman folder were in yet, I would have known. Well, now all I'm missing is 1980 P I believe for a complete set of SBA dollars. The rest will go to the bank where they belong.
