Still taking a break from sorting buffaloes-- peeking at the Mercury dimes, USB scope on one side, Cherrypicker's Guide on the other. Half of what I pick up looks like a variety at first but mostly it's my imagination or mistake so I would like your opinion on this one.
What do you think, is that S upside down? Perhaps more importantly and regardless of whether I am correct, does anyone care about inverted mint marks and do they carry a premium? I think they are rather cool...
This is an inverted mint mark, a known variant for 1942-S, FS-501. We've had three or four come up here at CCF over the years. Not exactly common, but I'm not enough an expert to infer what the added value is.
My understanding is that they make a production die from the master die and then the mint mark is manually punched on the production die. The production dies only last so long before wearing out and being replaced. Whoever punched the production die must have punched it upside down.
If I remember correctly, the Mint Marks were hand punched up until the 1980's or 90's (since the dies were made at Philadelphia - no mint mark), then they were engraved on the dies to eliminate the "wandering" mint marks.
Neat variety! I may have to see if I can acquire one for my slabbed 7070.
Quote: I may have to see if I can acquire one for my slabbed 7070.
You should be able to without much problem - it's not such a rarity that "everyone" is looking to cherrypick them. IIRC all the ones which appeared here were accidental finds.
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