Call to Arms - 1974 S cents

[coppercoins]

A call to arms for all personnel reading this thread who have any number of 1974S cents. Report is requested for the following information:

For each coin we need to know whether they are large or small date, and whether they have the type 1 or type 2 mintmark.

Large/small date can best be determined by the shape of the digits in the date and the proximity of the motto to the rim. If the 7 of the date is fat and has a rounded corner, it's a large date. If the 7 is thin and has a pointed corner, it's a small date. If TRUST nearly touches the rim, it's large date. If there is space between the rim and TRUST, it's small date.

Mintmark styles are here:

http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/1974/74smintmarks.jpg

So far it has been determined that for business strike coins in the large date, mintmark type 1 is most prevalent. In the small date mintmark type 2 is most prevalent. On the proof coins, it appears that both mintmark styles are equally common at this point...but that's what I need all of you for.

Once we can get a report together of a few thousand coins altogether, I'll be ready to publish on the subject and let everyone know the findings.

Thanks for the help in advance!

[murphy]

I ran across a roll of mixed, mostly circulated 1974-S cents today. On examination I find 39(sm dates) of them have the motto far from the rim and 10 + 1 proof(lg dates) have mottos close to the rim. Of the 39, I couldn't give an accurate account of which type S because they are in such bad shape, I just couldn't tell. Of the other 11, it seemed they were all type-1.
Wouldn't this Proof be a Large Date with Type-1 S?
And Chuck, what's your take on the doubling NW of the 4? There's same NW doubling on the LIB. And what kind of mark is that SE of the 4 and S? It's not a reflection! Is it possible to have machine doubling in both directions? Could the NW doubling be hub doubling and the SE marks be machine doubling?

[cladking]

Murphy; Interesting coin.

I've always liked this variety. I've always especially like all the varieties I spot before I read about them.

Will check later today on the few coins here.

[murphy]

Thanks Cladking.

Chuck, I gave the 39 large dates another look in an attempt to give you some idea of the ratio of type-1 S to type-2 S. My best guess is 30 type-2 and 9 type-1 S's.

[cladking]

Well drat. I thought I had some of these around but all I could find were a few original rolls of '74-D and some mint set rolls of '74-S. All the mint set coins are Lg date, of course (type 2). The '74-D's are mostly Sm dates but I remember that this was why I set them aside. I opened two and they were the same.

Some of these varieties have a lot of potential in high grade since most do not appear in mint sets.

[cladking]

It's recently been announced that a 1974 aluminum cent has
been graded and is going to hit the market. It will be inter-
esting to see if this gets some interest in these varieties in
light of the fact that the designed were reworked to help in
the coining of aluminum.

[murphy]

That should raise a few eye brows.

[GarryN]

Isn't the aluminum cent one of those coins deemed illegal to own?.

[murphy]

I dunno, but even if it is, would they inforce the rule? I tend to think of it same as the old "Blue Laws", where it's against the law to commit adultery, but nobody gets charged for it.

[cladking]

This particular aluminum cent was said to have been given to a security officer at the capitol by someone who was authorized to have it or give it away. It's in a sort of legal limbo but it's entirely possible that this could break the logjam and allow others to be sold also. There are various ways these could have gotten out of the mint and every indication is that many left legitimately. They've never shown that any were stolen or missing.

Most of the surviving examples are probably those which weren't returned by law makers when the mint cancelled plans to switch to aluminum. It has also been speculated that some could get out after becoming dislodged from the presses. One press was dismantled and some 250 coins found in it. Mintage was around 1.5 million and it's not known how many exist but it's likely less than twenty despite rumors about rolls of them.

[Jack]

Chuck I looked at a roll of BU 1974S and found of total of 44:
4 are large date all type 1
40 are small date all type 2
I found one nice RPM may be 1MM 01 Per your book and 7 split serif minor ones. Good luck with your project. Hope I was not to late with the info just got back on the computer.

[Earwig]

Have you ever came to a conclusion to this topic cuz i got a bunch of 74 s to look @.

Eric

[Bob P]

What are you wanting to search for Eric? The concensus was that there are numerous different types of dates (large & small) for the mintmarks (Types 1 & 2). I do not believe a premium for any of them was ever established.

[Earwig]

I just thought you were tryin to put a percentage on each type coin even though it would be on a small basis. Just was curious. On a 68s thing now pulled 2 OBW rolls wrapped in the same wrappers and got 34 of what i believe to be rpm1 a then the next roll give up 2 ddo 1. Ive searched 20 roll and never found squat and no 2 in a row. Just lookin to change the pace i guess and was curious of the results in percentage

Eric

[Bob P]

That's cool Eric. No problems. Just to let you know something that Chuck reminded us of today, and that is that we need to be careful that our posts are in the appropriate places. Please go ahead and list your great luck on the roll searches in the "New Finds' area of the forum...OK?