1974 Lincoln Cents Large Date/Small Date Comparisons

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Author	Replies: 12 / Views: 254
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:07 pm In 1974 the mint produced both large date and small date cents - while the differences are subtle, here is what to look for: 1974 (P) D, and S - on these small dates you can see that the upper end on the 9 is blunt and the outside corner of the 7 is sharp and pointy on the small dates, while on the large date, the 9s and the 7s are rounded. Also the 4 on the Large Date is closer to the rim than the Small Date is. 1974 (P) Small Date 1974 (P) Large Date 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

Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:08 pm 1974-D Small Date 1974-D Large Date 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
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:10 pm 1974-S Small Date 1974-S Large Date 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
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:13 pm Now I read that the Lincoln Statue on the reverse is supposed to have much more detail on the Large Date over the Small Date, But I just don't see that distinction 1974 (P) Small Date 1974 (P) Large Date 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
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:15 pm 1974-D Small Date 1974-D Large Date 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
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:16 pm 1974-S Small Date 1974-S Large Date 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
mcshilling Pillar of the Community Canada 9150 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:25 pm Also on the large date the 4 is closer to the rim, that is where I look first. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73628 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:32 pm Very informative post. Thank you, Dearborn. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 5:49 pm good point mcshilling - I did not notice that (until now). thanks. I added that info to the initial post above. 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
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6452 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 7:11 pm When I first started searching cents, I didn't even know that a large and small date existed for 1974. I ran across a large 7 in a bank roll. The thick 9 and much bigger 7 gave me a jolt. I thought I had found a big ol' doubled die. Technically still a variety! =) Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10475 Posts	Posted 03/26/2026 10:12 pm So which variety is going to make me rich by collecting them? Report this Post to the Staff
snailking1 Pillar of the Community United States 1235 Posts	Posted 03/27/2026 05:24 am Thanks for that info, Dearborn Unless I see something obvious to keep, I've started saving all the coppers I find to look at again later. Gives me something else to look for. Quote: So which variety is going to make me rich by collecting them? Edited by snailking1 03/27/2026 05:25 am Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94728 Posts	Posted 03/27/2026 08:59 am you bet snailking! [ glad to help and pass on info that I find. 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
	Replies: 12 / Views: 254

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