PCGS - The
Lincoln Memorial cent series, which ran from 1959 through 2008, spawned many varieties over the course of five decades, and one of the most valuable of these is the 1970-S Small Date. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in both business-strike and proof finishes, the 1970-S Small Date is a relatively scarce variety and one of the most collectible of all Lincoln Memorial Cents.
Lincoln Cent (Modern), 1970-S 1C Small Date, RD, PCGS MS67RDCollectors have been looking for the coin in circulation for decades, with many of the most ardent of roll searchers and pocket change pluckers finding occasional business strikes here and there. The 1970-S Small Date is a worthwhile find, as even circulated specimens are worth many times their face value. Uncirculated and proofs are worth significantly more, some trading for three figures or more in the best grades.
The 1970-S Large Date Vs. Small DateTelling a 1970-S Small Date
Lincoln Cent apart from a 1970-S Large Date is a matter of looking at both the date and the inscription "LIBERTY" on the obverse. The diagnostics listed below apply to both the business-strike and proof versions of the 1970-S Lincoln Cents.
The 1970-S Small Date is also known as the so-called "High 7" variety, as the top of the digit "7" in the date perfectly lines up with tops of the other three numerals in the date. Thus, the tops of all four date digits should all align with an imaginary plane atop of the date. Meanwhile, the 1970-S Large Date, otherwise known as the "Low 7," depicts the top of the "7" sitting lower than the tops of the other digits.
However, the date isn't the sole diagnostic that one can use to attribute a 1970-S Small Date. On the valuable variety, the inscription "LIBERTY" appears weak and strong on the large date version.
Read the Entire Article 
Posted 12/15/2020 7:39 pm
