1943 S Steel Cent- 2 Different Styles Of S Mint-Mark?

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,063
chuckster 125 Pillar of the Community United States 4113 Posts	Posted 07/13/2008 02:00 am I have 2- 1943S Steel cents. I noticed the S mint-mark appears to be different on each one. The first coin: 1. The top inside portion of the S is clogged/filled 2. The top serif is touching the middle of the S- (Closed) 3. The bottom serif is curved upward towards the S. 4. The entire S is wider. The second coin: 1. The top inside portion of the S is clear- not filled/clogged. 2. The top serif is going away from the S- not touching the middle of the S. (Open) 3. The bottom serif is more perpendicular - going almost straight up- not curved back towards the S. 4- The entire S is thinner than the first coin. Here are some pics for comparison. Image: 1943scoin1jpeg1.jpg 56.28 KB Image: 1943scoin2jpeg1.jpg 55.48 KB Image: 43smintmarkcoin1jpeg1.jpg 41.46 KB Image: 1943scoin2jpeg2.jpg 55.64 KB Image: 1943scoin1jpeg3.jpg 38.51 KB Image: 1943scoin2jpeg3.jpg 43.67 KB Report this Post to the Staff

chuckster 125 Pillar of the Community United States 4113 Posts	Posted 07/13/2008 02:06 am Forgot one picture- here is a closer view of the Second S. ]Image:[/b] 43smintmarkcoin2jpeg2.jpg 38.03 KB Report this Post to the Staff
MorgansRmine Pillar of the Community United States 1219 Posts	Posted 07/13/2008 07:17 am Both normal mintmarks. It's not uncommom for the mintmarks to become clogged with debris. The second coin is just showing polishing and die wear. Report this Post to the Staff
coop Bedrock of the Community United States 62064 Posts	Posted 07/13/2008 10:11 am Remembering also that the punchings with the mint mark are placed several times over each other, the overall size/depth will vary. All from the same punch, just hand placed in slightly different directions to make them appear wider. I like the first image for the best looking mint mark. But if you compare them you will see that the first one has a east/west punching difference making it appear wider. Report this Post to the Staff
chuckster 125 Pillar of the Community United States 4113 Posts	Posted 07/13/2008 1:11 pm Coop: I like the Second one better- much clearer and crisp , even if it is worn by polishing and die wear. The first one looks almost like its been "pieced together" in sections after the elephant stepped on it! Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 08:03 am I'm not so sure these are the same. There are characteristics on the two mintmarks that do not appear to match. Years ago I heard rumor of the discovery of a second mintmark style for the 1943S that was referred to as a 'trumpet tail'. This nomenclature has been used for other mintmark styles from other years, but I believe are unrelated to this 'discovery'. I heard of this mintmark style back in 1998 by a gentleman from California. I haven't heard word of it since, so I have no idea whether it really exists. The one thing I can say is that these two mintmarks look different enough from one another to warrant investigation. Overlays, measurements, etc. would be necessary to tell for sure. Report this Post to the Staff
foundinrolls Pillar of the Community United States 3507 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 1:30 pm Hi, I agree with Chuck (coppercoins). I would point out though that the appearance of the MMs in these pictures can be affected by the photography in that the first picture seems to have been taken with a little tilt to the coin. You can see a little out of focusness(New word) toward the top in the first picture. The picture of the second coin is more head on. So, Chuckster 125 I definitely think it is worth a look but be cautioned that if you try to do overlays on your own, you have to take the pictures of both coins from precisely the same positions or perspective will distort the results. Good luck, you might have found something really great! Thanks, Bill Report this Post to the Staff
chuckster 125 Pillar of the Community United States 4113 Posts	Posted 07/15/2008 3:12 pm Thanks Chuck & Bill: I have no way of taking measurements and doing proper overlays. If either one of you are willing - I'd gladly send the 2 coins on for the proper diagnostics. Please PM me if thats possible. Thanks, Chuck. Report this Post to the Staff
chuckster 125 Pillar of the Community United States 4113 Posts	Posted 07/18/2008 12:57 am Just heard from Bill (Foundinrolls) He graciously did an overlay of both coins for me- Perfect fit- identical Mint-mark Thanks Bill for all your help and expertise on this one- at least its no longer a question-mark. Chuck. Report this Post to the Staff
foundinrolls Pillar of the Community United States 3507 Posts	Posted 07/18/2008 02:28 am Hi Chuckster, No Problem. I am always happy to help. Bill Report this Post to the Staff
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