I have two pictures of a reverse side - one is of the 1970 D penny and the other is a 1978 D penny. I didn't have another penny closer in year that looked as similar in color. To me..it looks like the 1970 penny reverse is A LOT thicker than the 1978 as well as other pennies I compared to. The front date and type also looks a bit thicker. I am new at this and am just curious why this is. Is it wear or simply because it is a different year? Or is it not different at all? Thank you!!
First, welcome to the neighborhood! You can't compare the strike of a coin from one year to the strike of a coin from another year. As a matter of fact, you really can't compare the strike from one pair of dies of one year to the strike of a different pair of dies of the same year. It would be like trying to compare apples from one tree to the apples from another tree. Chris
There is a difference between the two coins you have. Alot of it has to do with the machines that made them. I would say that your 1970-D cent was produced with fairly new Dies, which give it a "High Relief" look. Also if you look at the reverse at the step of the Lincoln Memorial you should notice that the design is lacking/missing most likely caused by excessive Die Pressure which caused the metal to move into the obverse Lincoln bust design, which also gives it that deep or as you put it thicker look. The machines that make coin have nessasary places where adjustments can be made to them. So that the coins can be kept within the specification prescribed to each type of coin. And those adjustments are made be humans that operate them. Just this simple fact allows for many variable to the end product. You asked a very indepth question. And I'm not a novelist. I hope this will give you some insight to your inquiry. Keep looking and asking good questions.
Thank you for both the replies! I kind of figured that you can't compare two coins, even of the same year. The coin making process is so fascinating! I enjoy learning about the why behind different things and since coins are so complicated I am glad I have this forum and it's members to help me increase my knowledge... Now I can do more of and less of Thank you again!
Actually they are different. The 1970 is Reverse design 2 ( Thin lettering)for memorials, and the 1978 is Reverse design 4( thick lettering).Auth.Ref.on Lincoln Cents ed.2, Wexler and Flynn.
The 1978 is the thin print, though. These aren't the best pictures which is why I didn't post them originally but it does show both coins. What do you mean by the thin print is for memorials? Lhat it was an important year?
What I was trying to indicate was that according to the references ( the book above), on an uncirculated cent the lettering on the reverse ( type 2) 1970 was thinner than the original, and that 1978 was thicker. The difference in the reference photos is very small, so I would suspect that circulation would have a stronger effect on flattening, except in protected areas. I have formed no opinions about the the members photos.
I understand, now, that you were speaking generally but now I am extra curious to know why 1970 was a special memorialized year! I am not well schooled in American history (having always been particularly bad at the presidential aspect!) at all so I am wondering if something maybe happened in 1870 to be memorialized 100 years later? Or, was the 25 year anniversary of the end of WWII the reason for the memorialization? Now, that bit of American and world history is something I do know some about Thank you all again.. This is one of the few forums I have found that I really learn from and that has helped me begin a few new and different paths from American history to chemistry and so on!
When Desertgem said that 1970 was reverse design 2 for Memorials. I believe he was speak of Memorial Cents. The Lincoln Memorial Cent was issued from 1959 to 2008. Not that 1970 was a special memorial year. Here is a link with some coin history.http://www.coin-collecting-guide-for-beginners.com/lincoln-cents.html LMC=Lincoln Memorial Cent LWC=Lincoln Wheat Cent IHC= Indian Head Cent.
Wow I feel like an idiot!!! I am thinking the wording confused me since I am still learning terminology... If the quote said memorial cents I could have avoided the sheepish blush I am sporting right now! But at least now I know.
Oceanbutton, don't worry a bit. I should have commented earlier, but summer school opened today, and I have been away from the computer. Please accept my apology for the delay. Jim
