need help with 1970-s small date or large date

[Guest]

please tell me how to determine if the coin i have is a lg or small date 1970-s. i will attach a picture if i can. but i need to know how to do this on my own. yes i have looked at the pictures on this site but still have a very hard time trying to determine on my own what i have in my hand. my name is tom and i am the bourse chairman at the annual coin show here in Warner Robins Ga and also coin dealer for 6 years. thanks in advance

[Chugly]

Hello,

Here are two pictures of a 1970-S small date cent. There are at least 6 differences to note. #1) The tail of the 9 in the date points much more horizontally on the small date, while it points more downward (towards the mint mark) on the large date. #2) There is no notch on the inside of the 7 on the small date, while the large date will have the notch. #3) The 7 in the date is higher and level with the 0 in the date on the small date (aka "High 7" synonym for the small date). It is much lower on the large date. #4) LIBERTY is always weak on the small date, getting weaker going from left to right (right side of LIBERTY being the weakest). #5) The tail of the 9 in the date is blunt on the large date and thin and pointy on the small date. Finally, the 0 of the date is more "egg shaped" on the small date than the large date. All of these differences are subtle, but taken together, they are quite definitive. Good luck!

[jfines69]

Welcome to the LCF Tom... Lots of knowledgeable folks here... It may be best to remember just the info for the small date that way if one comes thru your hands you will know for sure... Chugly nailed this one good... It can take a while to learn all this info... Looking forward to your posts!!!

[kimseyco]

this is the first time i have ever heard of some of these ways. thanks a lot .are their any markers other than these that can be used?

[mustbebob]

are their any markers other than these that can be used?

I wouldn't call these markers, but what John lists are some of the diagnostics used to identify the small date 1970S. The items he lists are the most recognized way to tell one from the other. If they are not on your coin, then the chances are that you have a large date coin which is more much more prevalent.

[theproofessa]

Thanks, Chugly. Just what I was looking for this evening.

[lincolnjoe]

nice explanation of small date..very useful thanks