Lincoln Cent Specialists - 1970 Small vs. Large Date

Okay, this is for you Lincoln cent specialists.
Do I have a Small Date and Large Date 1970-S cents?
If so, which is which?

 

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those are both large dates, sorry

 

I agree. Look here; http://www.lincolncentresource.com/smalldates/1970Ssmalldate.html

 

I disagree, the top is a small, and the bottom is a large. Look at the 0's and the spacing on the TY in Liberty...

-LTB

 

And just what do the 0's have to do with anything? Look at the reference I sited.

 

The zero on a small date appears to be a different shape (fatter) and almost leaning slight right, the large date is is more thin and sits straight up. And the T and the Y have way more spacing between them on the small date. The two pictures above are definitely different and not exact, so my conclusion is the top is a small date and the bottom is large.

-LTB

 

Louie, unfortunately, that's not the correct diagnostic. The site that rlm posted features the correct diagnostic. these are both large date cents

 

Look at the 9's, on the first pic the upper part of the 9 points towards the 0, on the lower coin the same part of the 9 points towards the S of the mint mark also the weakness in Liberty is evident. Look here. http://www.lincolncentresource.com/smalldates/1970Ssmalldate.html

 

uh, I hate trying to tell the difference between these two. I'd say the top one is a small date because of the angle of the 9, the bottom one is def a large date.

 

bq... if you want another diagnostic, I look at the bottom of the 7 and the bottom of the 1. If they are even, then it is a small date.

In both of these the bottom of the 7 extends past the bottom of the 1

 

Top: :Small Date
Bottom: Large Date

These are tricky

 

I can't believe any of the experts missed this.... Easily, top small (inside curl of nine points to the 7)... bottom large (inside curl of the nine points to the S).

 

I agree with Jack, that top small date stands out like a sore thumb to my eyes. It's definatately a SMALL date.

 

The top cent is small...
The Bottom cent is large....
I look at the Nine also...

 

Top - Small Date!
Bottom - Large Date!

An easy way to tell the difference is the following:

Small Date - The "7" of the Date has a Valley running Northeast across the entire junction where the Top (Horizontal) bar and the Tail (Vertical) bar meet. LIBERTY will almost always be weak.

Large Date - The "7" of the Date has no Valley at the junction of the Top and Tail bars but has a Top (Horizontal) bar that is thicker and higher that runs all of the way to the East end of the junction with the Tail (Vertical) bar. LIBERTY will normally be bold.


Frank

 

Remember boys and girls these are proof coins.

Remember boys and girls these are proof coins. Do not use the diagnostics for business strikes so much.
From angle of picture the top is a small date the bottom is large, both proofs.

 

The "0"s have a lot to do with it.

The "0"s have a lot to do with it.
Small dates are smaller and thicker - and on the large date the 0 has a little pike at the top of it - very easy to see after you have seen a fair number,

 

The top is a small date and the bottom is large

 

THERE'S what I was missing!!! I knew there was something I was missing! Thanks for pointing it out!

 

Ben,

The 1970-S "Large and Small Date" Business Strike Cents have many of the same diagnostics as the Proof Cents! The major difference between the Business Strike and Proof "Small Date" Cents is that on the Business Strike specimens, the Valley at the junction of the Top (Horizontal) and Tail (Vertical) bars in the "7" of the Date is not as strong and defined as on the Proof Cents. Most of the other diagnostics for both the Business Strike and Proof Cents hold true for the majority of the specimens!


Frank