1980 D/S = bunk

[Robert]

Page 58 of the June 5 Coin World has an article which debunks the existence of the 80 D and S DMM (Dual Mint Mark).

In it, one Charles D. Daughtrey of CopperCoins expressed his opinion that "... there actually appears to be areas of indentaion in the coin that would signify raised areas on the die, especially in the right third of the curve. I highly doubt that a mint mark punch set so softly into the die as to not show its top third would displace enough metal to 'crater' the die like this."

Other experts agreed, and in the end the variety was found to be not a legitimate variety at all.

[Gabe]

I had seen the article, and was really surprised by the news. It always appeared that the alleged S was legitimite. Too bad that this variety is not a true over mint mark.

[Bob P]

The news about the 1980 D/S was not haphazard in coming. All of the 'experts' have been working on this issue for years. Some publications make note that not all agree that this is indeed a D/S at all.
What was produced was a coin that allowed the experts to carefully scrutinize the area in question. Ultimately, this coin and the diagnostics associated with it convinced all those concerned that it wasn't a true variety.
We realize some folks will not like this result, especially those who have paid a premium for slabbed examples of this coin. Ultimately, our position is to get the best information available to the folks out there. Sometimes, we are wrong, and sometimes we have to change our opinions on things. That is why it is important to keep up with the times and check things out often. Maybe the next bit of news will be that the coin you have many of because they are common will be worth a bit more.
One last thing to point out on this thread is that almost ALL of the experts agreed about the determination on the 1980 D/S. This rarely happens on some of these disputed varieties.