1941 S question large and small mint mark?

[Jacob]

I found a 1941 S that appears to be a small S. My question is there a such thing as a small S variety? If so is it one to look for and is it desired? I know of a large small S variety for nickels but not sure of cents.

[makecents]

You have MMS-002 and MMS-004. (http://varietyvista.com/01a%20LC%20D...k%20Styles.htm)

[Jacob]

You have MMS-002 and MMS-004. (http://varietyvista.com/01a%20LC%20D...k%20Styles.htm)

Thanks I just looked at all info its a common coin. I just never noticed before is all.

[willbrooks]

Actually, I have seen lists that list the 1941 large S as a variety, but I don't think it is uncommon. I feel like you that the small S is harder to find. I collect all of the different MMs for each year. Notice on that page the note about MMS9 being the same as MMS4. My article on this will be coming out in either May or July. I'll keep you posted.

[GrumpyEd]

Both types are pretty common.
If they would have put a hole for both types in the folders then it would be well known but it's pretty much ignored plus neither is scarce.

You asked why it exists, they swapped out the punch during the year so different ones were used. In 46 they used 3 different types of S punches. In 28 they used 2 types. There are other years even in the 80s with different punches used, most are not very scarce.

My question has always been why the mint didn't buy a group of 20 punches that were the same and use that for a century. They often shared punches for different denominations (even different countries) and they still lasted for years, if they had a group of 20 that were the same that would have lasted for many decades. It always seemed odd to me that they must have bought or made them one at a time and used each for different denominations for years and not bought or made a bunch of duplicates.

[jupiterkm1]

I found a note in my old mint/proof set checklist, not sure where I got it from, says "look for 1941 large S on all type coins...the quarter is the rarest, followed by the nickel then dime. The penny is common".
Hmm, doesn't mention the half?
Kevin

[willbrooks]

Both types are pretty common.
If they would have put a hole for both types in the folders then it would be well known but it's pretty much ignored plus neither is scarce.

You asked why it exists, they swapped out the punch during the year so different ones were used. In 46 they used 3 different types of S punches. In 28 they used 2 types. There are other years even in the 80s with different punches used, most are not very scarce.

My question has always been why the mint didn't buy a group of 20 punches that were the same and use that for a century. They often shared punches for different denominations (even different countries) and they still lasted for years, if they had a group of 20 that were the same that would have lasted for many decades. It always seemed odd to me that they must have bought or made them one at a time and used each for different denominations for years and not bought or made a bunch of duplicates.

As I discovered during my study, punches were made by hand until not that long ago. So, they were all a little different.