I really can't tell. The top of the last digit looks awful like the "1" that was used... What do you think?
The shape perfectly matches that of a 9, and is clearly different from the 8. Even on a coin in this condition I do believe it safe to say that the chances of it being an 1881 are, at best, slim to none. A heavily circulated 1891.
BUMMER! Oh well. I'm always hoping to find a gem in the crap pile. I found a 1912-(?) V nickel once. I bought a 25x loupe and broke my eyes trying to convince myself it was a 1912-S. HINT: it wasn't...
Just compare the two top loops. The inside of a 9 is rather larger than an 8, and the top radius of an 8 is much wider.
Just so you know, the more you try to convince yourself that what you are looking at is what you want it to be, the more you will see what you want to see. The best way to go about it is objectively, trying to prove it is not what you want it to be. If you can't prove it is not the real deal, then you probably have it. For example, with your 1912 nickel, the odds were that it was a D. Instead of trying to see the S, try to see the diagnostics of the D. If you see the diagnostics of a D, then it is a D. If not, it is an S.
Sounds like your on your way to be an engineer. Seriously I do agree with what you're saying. For example, with your 1912 nickel, the odds were that it was a D. Instead of trying to see the S, try to see the diagnostics of the D. If you see the diagnostics of a D, then it is a D. If not, it is an S.[/QUOTE]
I can determine the date of a Seated Dime or Half Dime even if only part of the date is showing. The secret is that Seated dates come in all shapes and sizes.
