Yes the 9 really curls all the way around. I'm not seeing the sharp point at the end of the 9 or the weakly struck LIBERTY, but that's probably because it is a proof. As for grading, unless it's MS-68 I don't think it pays. Here is a photo of the proof 70-S (Lincoln Cent Resource):
The LIBERTY is softer on a proof small date, but only really recognizable as such side-by-side on the proof. On the "biz strike", the soft LIBERTY is much more obvious. At Dallas, I had been looking through 1970 proof sets in a bargain bin, but got paged on the PA system, and never got back to that table. I swear the second set I looked at was a SD cent.
Completely disagree on the LD. I'll stake my reputation on the fact that the OP's 1970-S proof is a SD. I showed the picture to several variety experts at Dallas and ALL agreed it is a SD. The consensus on whatever doubling is present was that the coin slightly shifted prior to the second strike (as ALL proofs get), and NOT anything on the die itself.
Even looking at the second photo showing the top corner of the 7 ? Care to name some of the variety experts? Well each to their own opinion.
Yes, and while it is not truly "sharp" or "pointy", it is closer to qualifying for those adjectives than it is for the LD's "blunt".
Now you're mixing a proof (top) with circulation strike diagnostics (bottom). Ya gotta be careful doing that.
All I'm saying is if that OP coin is offered at sale, I'm paying SD money for it (which is less than non-proof high condition SD money). The circ. strike SD is rarer than the proof strike SD, AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE WHOLE MINTAGE (not in total raw numbers).
I thought the other photo showed the curl better than the proof photo below. The 0 seems to match the business strike photo.
This is all new to me in the hobby. Im learning alot more now. I suppose i will put it in a 2x2 and save it till i get more coins to send in for grading. Thought i had found my first DD but turns out to be a SD.
There's an easy way to prove your coins a small date and DDO-012 . Go to Coneca site and take some new images . http://varietyvista.com/01b LC Doubled Dies Vol 2/1970SDDO012.htm Make sure you match them to the sites images too .
Thanks Rick I will get right on that. I want my day at work to end already and I'm not even there yet.