1979-S Proof. I just bought replacements for the 77-79 proofs that I posted, but there’s something to be said for having coins that represent some of the mint’s weaker efforts as well as their better ones. At least the steps are coming back on the Lincoln Memorial, so quality is improving from the previous years.
That cent is just glorious. If I give mine another 90 years, will it get more colorful? It’s working on it.
1980-S Proof. It amazes me just how much detail has been lost from the Lincoln Memorial. And how many years will it be before it is restored to the proofs? Here's how the proofs looked back in the first year of the Memorial reverse.
That coin is UNREAL! This is one of my nemesis coins, never found one in my price range in all my years. Makes me sad looking at the picture of my current coin.
1981-S Proof There is actually more detail on the business strike this year, as shown below. The mint did not appear to have figured out how to have a cameo appearance and sharp details at the same time. Here again is more detail on the 1959 proof reverse (shown above in post #5587) that has a 3D sculptural quality. It is so often underappreciated because it was so often poorly minted. You can even tell that there is a landing halfway up the steps.