1974-D Lincoln Cent Misplaced Mint Mark?

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Author	Replies: 10 / Views: 354
JDRMCB Pillar of the Community United States 615 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 09:40 am I just recently got this cent in change, and I noticed the mint mark placement right away. I've searched a lot of cents over my lifetime and I've never seen a mint mark placed this low. Has anyone else seen a mint mark this out of place? Report this Post to the Staff

nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 09:47 am It's in an acceptable position for the era in which it was produced. Prior to 1980 mint marks were placed by hand and an acceptable location was practically anywhere below the date but not in contact with any other features. BTW - Please get in the habit of cropping your images. The image showing the entire coin has way too much background and way too little coin. Thanks! Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 11:46 am 1980 or 1990? Regardless, I agree, 1974 had mint marks applied to each die. They can be anywhere. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 11:52 am Quote: 1980 or 1990? Yep, my bad. Thanks for pointing it out. I am going to correct the record. 1989 was the final year the US Mint applied mintmark by hand. Starting with the 1990 dated coinage all mintmarks were incorporated directly into the master die. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6458 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 1:24 pm Visually, it's way low compared to other mint marks of the era. But as nickelsearcher and Jbuck said, it's still a legal position for a mint mark. I would personally keep it as a curiosity. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin.../images/2974 Report this Post to the Staff
JimmyD Bedrock of the Community Canada 21584 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 1:31 pm Yes, it is lower than most but anywhere in that triangle area is acceptable. Don't forget, there were probably close to a million minted from that die so there should be many more out there the same. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73688 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 1:45 pm That's mint mark positioning is pretty low. Cool find! Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94786 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 1:47 pm I agree, a bit low, but as long that it is under the date and not touching any other device or the rim, it is ok. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19115 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 1:48 pm I came across a very similar looking '74 D back in the late 1980s. Looked interesting but didn't keep it, Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 2:08 pm Quote: Yep, my bad. Thanks for pointing it out. I am going to correct the record. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10484 Posts	Posted 03/04/2026 9:29 pm How low can you go? I looked through a few pages of cents on ebay and only found one like it............. ebay item number:236626422585 Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 10 / Views: 354

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