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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,020 |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
If there's an existing thread about this topic (I couldn't find one), then this post can be moved to it. Either way, feel free to add any background info, corrections, etc. My favorite coin is the Lincoln Cent, specifically from the "wheat" era. It's the only specific type of U.S. coin that I have any sort of collection of (although I haven't bought any of them). Anyway, I've observed something about the styles of different numbers used in the dates of the Lincolns. "3" - A "short" 3 was used in 1913, 1923, and 1930-1933. Then a "long" 3 appeared in 1934 only for some reason. The "short" 3 returned for the rest of the 1930s, but the "long" one reappeared in 1943 and has been used since. "5" - A "short" 5 was used in 1915, 1925, 1935 and 1945. Then a "long" 5 appeared in 1950 and has been used since. "7" - A "short" 7 was used in 1917, 1927 and 1937. Then a "long" 7 appeared in 1947. The "short" 7 returned in 1957, but the "long" one reappeared in 1967 and has been used since. There may be more to it than that, but that's what I've noticed. Edited by SquareCircle
05/15/2025 1:33 pm
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Valued Member
United States
279 Posts |
Very interesting. I'll take a look at my collection as well, as that is interesting. I do love Wheat cents as well. Not sure why. Perhaps because they are uncommon? I have a Dansco Lincoln Cent 1909-2009 album. Despite already having many of the wheat cents in my album that I continuously find duplicates of in circulation, I hang on to them anyways. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3927 Posts |
IIRC, the last two digits of the date were punched into the master die during the Wheat era. There were probably more than one of each number available. Not sure how the specific punch would have been chosen.
The last numbers are always a bit misaligned versus the "19", some years more than others. I would think the techs would punch them "flat" versus the 19, but they are always a bit tilted. Personally, I use LIBERTY as the reference for level. The 1 of "19" is perpendicular to LIBERTY, though even using LIBERTY is problematic since the letters are all different heights and they changed over the years as well.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Moderator
United States
164145 Posts |
Interesting topic. Time to do some looking...  |
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Valued Member
United States
287 Posts |
If I'm not mistaken, the short 7 made a comeback in the early 70s, between 70-73, but since 1974 the long 7 has been used exclusively. A neat little oddity for sure.
YGP
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
59559 Posts |
Very interesting information.  Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
71936 Posts |
ok, where is my Dansco album? time for another closer look at them.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4693 Posts |
Isn't there also a huge 1974 date that was only used for half of that year, and never again?
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Pillar of the Community
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Pillar of the Community
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In the 1940s, all eleven of the fours in the dates are different, including the second four in 1944. This makes it possible to identify the date of any 1940s Lincoln Cent entirely by the third digit. This is important when distinguishing coins - usually 1942, 1947, or 1948 - with the fourth digit altered to pass as 1943 bronze cents. It also is how the three major 1949-S DDOs were identified as 1949 over 194 from 1948. In looking at the ten different fours used as the third digit of the year, what varies from date to date are:  North-South positioning of the top of the 4 relative to the 9. The fours can be above the 9, level with the 9, slightly below the 9, or far below the 9. East-West distance of the 4 from the 9. The fours can be close, average or distant. Whether the four is tall or squat. Sometimes this is worded as whether the arch (the open area inside the 4) is tall or squat. Once those have been determined, the points of the four pin down the date. Working counterclockwise from the top: Whether the top of the 4 is pointed, blunt, or flared Whether the left point of the 4 is pointed or blunt Whether the bottom crosslet end - the foot - is long or short. All are squared, so the length is the only issue. Whether the right crosslet end - the arm - is long or short and whether it is squared, angled, or flared. One complication with this is that the third digit of the date frequently is weak or missing on 1943 cents. Edited by fortcollins
05/16/2025 07:46 am
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Valued Member
 United States
123 Posts |
Quote:
If I'm not mistaken, the short 7 made a comeback in the early 70s, between 70-73, but since 1974 the long 7 has been used exclusively. Off the top I'd say the 7s from 70-73 fall somewhere in between the long 7 and the original short 7, perhaps leaning more toward the latter. But I'll leave that question for others to examine. Quote:
In the 1940s, all eleven of the fours in the dates are different, including the second four in 1944. I don't know if I'd be able to distinguish that, and I'm getting eyestrain just thinking about it...
Edited by SquareCircle
05/16/2025 10:50 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3927 Posts |
Quote:
I don't know if I'd be able to distinguish that, and I'm getting eyestrain just thinking about it... You didn't add a smiley at the end, so I assume you are serious. If so, I highly recommend getting a stereo microscope for these types of investigations. Vintage B&L Stereo and StereoZoom scopes are not a lot more expensive than a high-end loupe, and virtually eliminate eye strain while searching and examining.
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Moderator
United States
164145 Posts |
Quote:In the 1940s, all eleven of the fours in the dates are different, including the second four in 1944. This makes it possible to identify the date of any 1940s Lincoln Cent entirely by the third digit... Very interesting!
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
Quote:
You didn't add a smiley at the end, so I assume you are serious. Adding the smiley belatedly: 
Edited by SquareCircle
05/16/2025 10:50 am
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
I took a quick magnifying-glass look at the 4s on my 1940s wheat cents (I have all but a few of them) and I did notice some differences between the years. Wow, who'd 'a' thunk it?
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,020 |
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Posted 05/15/2025 10:45 am
