1946-S, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Bob P · Site Admin

Ed,
A lot of the questions you asked about mintmarks and the various types per year are covered in Chuck's book. Do you have it yet? If not, I can sell you one of his books, or we can get you the info you requested. Let me know...OK??

eagames · Expert Member

Hi Bob,

That sounds like a good plan.
I'll send you a mail.

I have heard so many good things about Chucks book I'm eager to get one Smile

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Just a little added note on the 1946-S inverted mint mark. After thinking a bit on it, I decided that it should be encapsulated so it is on its way to ANACS. Now for some good news; talked with Ken Potter and it is his belief that it is a inverted mint mark. From what I can gather, this is a very rare occurance, with examples happening on the 1860-S gold dollar, the 1860-S No arrow dime and the 1968-S Proof half dollar. This may be the very first cent to have this happen to.

The 1946-S did have three mint marks for the year with the ball serif, a left over from the previous year of 1945, being the less used of the three. Then again, this is all covered in Chuck's book which is a must as Bob pointed out.

It is very, very , very surprising that in sixty years this error has not been seen before or just plain overlooked. I guess odder things have happened, Very Happy

You all have a good one

WAVYSTEPS2003

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

I guess I'll have to spend that $1,000 bill on something else since your inverted mint mark will not be on Ebay this weekend.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Now that is a good one Rollmeupabe - Just think though, when it does go on Ebay, it will be encapsulated with proof of what it is Wink

WAVYSTEPS2003

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Just another update on this particular variety / error. This information was sent to me by a friend.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/invertedmintmarks_2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/invertedmintmarks_3.jpg

As you can see, there are more of this type inverted mint marks out there. Hopefully, with a little searhing, you can find one or two to add to your collection.

You all have a safe Holiday and remember those who have served this great Nation.

WAVYSTEPS2003

Steven · Expert Member

wavysteps2003,

I pulled one of my 45s and used the picture in the article you posted and come up with this. Looks like a different die or MM position but the same MM. At least it looks like the same MM to me but I'm still learning the photo shop program. Not too good at it yet.

Steven

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Just got finished talking with a couple of very knowagable folks on the CONECA page that I posted. Come to find out that the information was not correct and that the 1946-S and the 1945-S inverted mintmarks shown on those pages were in fact correct mint marks. Steven, the one that you are showing, the 1945-S, is in fact a correct mint mark and not inverted even though they say that it is. To be inverted the ball must be on the bottom of the ball serif mint mark (see picture in the begining of this topic).

To date, the 1946-S inverted mint mark that I have in my possession and pictured at the beginning, is the only one known !!!!!!!!

WAVYSTEPS2003

coppercoins · Site Admin

Wel, I got to this one late, but immediately recognized what the deal was with it. I have found a few of these over the years. They are pretty interesting, but I haven't ever tried to do anything with selling these. Would be interesting to see what would happen with one of them on eBay with good images and a clean write-up.

Steven · Expert Member

Did a lot of searching and came up with a couple that look close but I'm not sure. Using the picture in the beginning of this string and layering one of not so good a condition over seems very similar. Hard to tell with the wear on the MM. Even if it's not right I'll keep looking.

Steven

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Hi Steven - It is hard to tell from your pictures what you have. A word of caution though, the sans serif S mint mark that was also used during this time on the 1946 Lincoln cent can look very similar to the ball serif mint mark if there has been damage to that area.

Good luck on your searching and I do hope that you find one.

WAVYSTEPS2003

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

I just finished searching 100 1946S coins and found two that look like the examples from the CONECA publication but nothing that looks like the original posting. I was hoping to find one to put it up for sale on Ebay to see what kind of price it would bring. Unfortunately I need to go watch the Red Sox catch up with the Blue Jays before catching some SSSSSS's, oops, I mean ZZZZZZZ's. I will search some more tomorrow.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Hi Rollmeupabe - The CONECA publication that you are refering to has been bebunked by Dr. James Wiles and so noted in their variety listings by Ken Potter. The photo in the beginning of this post is the only example known to date of an inverted ball serif mintmark and the only known example of an inverted mintmark on a Lincoln cent. This has been confirmed by Ken Potter and Dr. James Wiles and has been given a CONECA number of IMM-001. So, if you do use any photos for comparision, use the one in the beginning of the post.

Just another little update - There is plans for a story on inverted mintmarks in an upcoming COIN WORLD which will feature this coin.

WAVYSTEPS2003

penny1959 · New Member

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pennyante/463s.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pennyante/46s2.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pennyante/46s.jpg
can you see these?
DO THEY RATE IN THE SSS slurry dept?|e

murphy · Senior Member

Here's my 1946-Ball-S . I had to search a couple places before I found it at a coin show in Louisville...