Inverted MM quarter

Over the weekend, I found my third 1945S Washington quarter with the inverted trumpet tail "S" mintmark. I wanted to see what they are going for, so I thought I would check Ebay. I found 7 current listings and 10 completed listings. Not one of the listings actually is the inverted mintmark. Everyone of them is the ball serif "S". For those who are interested in such things, a few points for verification.

First, if you have to think about it, its not the inverted mintmark. The true inverted mintmark is so weird looking that there is no question that something is off. It is drastically asymmetrical with the top loop being much wider than the lower loop.

Second, unlike some of the mercury dimes, there is only one quarter die with an inverted mintmark, so the true IMM should look EXACTLY like the published pictures (like in Wexler's page - http://www.doubleddie.com/58306.html).

Third, the lower serif should be absolutely vertical. If that serif is slanted or round, it is not the IMM.

Fourth, the true IMM looks like an RPM. Although, it looks like mechanical doubling when viewed on any given coin, it actually is part of the die. All three of mine have the same "mechanical doubling" (as does the one in Wexler's picture).

Fifth, the position of the mintmark must be exactly as it is in the published pictures (again only one die was used)

Finally, the IMM coin also is a DDR. Check Wexler's picture. You can see doubling on the stem to the left of the mintmark.

BTW, none of the ebay listings had an inverted ball serif "S" either, although those likely exist.

Hope this helps folks avoid the mislabeled IMMs.

 

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thanks for the info.. This coin is on my list...

I have notice good visual reference Washington quarters, Roosevelt dimes and Jefferson nickel varieties is hard to find..

A lot of the time there are no photo references or they are hard to find or only available in a out of print attribution book that is hard to find.

And reference materials like the cherry picker's guide, etc only do the top varieties..

That is awesome congrats on your 3rd one!!!

I find good info on IMM and OMM are not always available.

I noticed people mislabel on ebay the Lincoln 1946-s cent as well...

 

Interesting, how about a picture.

 

The Variety Vista site has added on-line e-books for several denominations. Also, for quarters, "The Washington Quarter Dollar Book" series (3 vol) by Dr. James Wiles is invaluable. I use mine nearly everyday. I keep hoping for a fourth and or fifth vol to cover 50-64.

Also, Coppercoins site has a wealth of info on Lincoln cent varieties

 

Here you go.

You can see the "mechanical doubling", the vertical left serif, and the doubling on the left branch.

 

Excellent photo.

Thanks for posting

 

Here is a photo of an inverted S on a 68S PR IMM-001 Kennedy Half Dollar.

Larry Nienaber

 

Sorry, screwed it up. Mods, please remove prior post if possible.

Nonetheless, still in my top five wants.