Possible 1970-S Doubled Die Obverse

1/19/2007


I’m wondering if this coin is a 1970-S Doubled Die Obverse (FS-029). I found it in a roll of nearly uncirculated cents I saved when I was a kid. I’m not sure if I should certify it.


Being a pessimist, I can’t make up my mind – and I hope someone can give me their opinion. Also, the photos I take are horribly inconsistent. It would be gratefully appreciated if anyone could render any advice. These images are all from one shot – one of about 35 – and are the only images I believe might indicate authentication.


I have a macro camera (minimum 2 3/8 inches) with a 10.2 mega pixel capacity. The photos are hit and miss, and I never feel sure about the results – even regarding the small dates. It shall be appreciated if someone could point out a method for shooting coins of this nature (close ups of doubled die coins) – just a few hints – anything.


Thank You, A.J.

 

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looks like a little bit of doubling. i would get it checked out if i were you.

 

I see a lot of doubling, Not much doubt here.

 

Wow! Cool coin. I have good news. I think you have a small date coin there and on a website I found, a double die 1970-S small date lincoln cent is listed as the second most valuable pocket change find. Here's their description....

1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent with a Doubled Die Obverse
As with virtually all true doubled die varieties, only one side of the coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling, the coin is probably double struck instead, and worth little.

How to Detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the common type by the weakness of LIBERTY. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Approximate Value: Around $3,000 in EF-40 or so.

 

Also, try to get us pictures of the whole coin =p

 

Nice double die, and NOT strike doubling!
A definite find.

 

I do see doubling but it is not a small -s the 7 is lower then the 9 and 0 but there is doubling there are some here that know more and can help.
Bruce.

 

Idk, I'm probably wrong with the small date/large date thing...But I thought they looked pretty even when I put a line over them in paint....

 

coinage 10, your photos look just like The Cherrypickers' Guide FS# 1C-029 and it's supposed to be a large date. www.coppercoins.com reads" probably one of the rarest of all Lincoln cent doubled dies". They have it priced at AU 1250.00 - MS 65 18000.00. Just my opinion, but it does look like FS# 1C-029.

Lou

 

Coinage 10...If you check out Wexlers 1984 book, "The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die" you will see he shows a marker for the 70S DDO-001: A die scratch runs Southwest through the 0 and lower 7 to the mint mark. Several die scratches run Southeast through WE. I can barely see the Southwest marker through the 0 and lower 7 on your cent in your photo. It looks like you found a DDO-001...What a very nice find!!!

Larry Nienaber

 

1/20/2007

I really appreciate all the kind input. It’s great to finally succeed with the elusive ’70-S. I’ve been checking a friend’s huge Lincoln Cent collection as well as the numerous rolls I finally removed from a safe deposit box (my entire collection was in the safe deposit since 1978), and I removed it about nine months ago.

Yes, I wasn’t sure, but I thought the coin to be a large date doubled die because of the low 7. I’d been inspecting hundreds of near-mint condition ’70-S’s to the point of utter frustration. A lot of the coins I’ve checked, had areas that looked right – but then they didn’t match up on the whole. (You can imagine why I was so doubtful.)

atrox001,

I’m a herpetologist of sorts (herpetology via biology). I’m wondering from the nature of your name and residence (Arizona) if you collect herps as well as coins. As you may be aware, Crotalus atrox is the Latin name for the Western Diamondback rattlesnake. Of course there’s C. scutulatus found in your area as well. I make this analogy, because herpetologists have trouble telling the two species apart, unlike the 1970-S, which is heaps more difficult in my opinion.

Thanks again, and “p”, I wasn’t aware of a circulated small-date 70-s doubled die – I thought they were only proofs, and I was obviously mistaken.

A.J.

 

Coinage 10...were you able to confirm your 70S has a DDO-001 using Wexler's die scratch markers? If so your cent is a very rare find...like finding a Crotalus willardi obscurus, New Mexico Ridgenosed Rattlesnake in Arizona. I know someone who found a 70S DDO-001 and decided to sell it in an action, he was hopeing to get between $8,000 -$10,000 for it but only got $3,000. If you decide you want the cent attributed, if I was you, I would send it to James Wiles at CONECA. He can also forward it to be slabed...I would use PCGS.

Seeing the difference between the large and small date 70S, proof or BS, shouldn't be a problem. Just look for the low 7, strong LIBERTY for the large date, and high 7, weak LIBERTY for the small date. Check out my photos.

Larry Nienaber

 

Atrox001,

Does the southwest marker you speak of run at about 7:00 or 9:00 from within the “0” and proceed to the bottom of the “7” to the gap around the first loop of the “S”? I don’t have Wexler’s guide but there is another marker as well (not as long).


It’s funny you mentioned “obscurus”, and appropriate enough as another analogy. I’ve never found one, and not for lack of trying, but I’ve found a number of “willardis” (Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake).


Thanks for the information. Does the person you mentioned specialize in Lincoln Cents, or is there a broader spectrum of interest?


A.J.

 

I would agree that you should send it to James Wiles.
He has written books on many topics and has a broad range of knowledge in coins and can help ID almost anything---there is a small fee.....you can see this page for info.
http://hermes.csd.net/~coneca/content/coneca_attributions.html

Speedy

 

Speedy,

Thanks for the quick reply, I think I may have a genuine circulated high relief 1922 Peace Dollar, and I can't make up my mind (as usual); either way I'm concerned about the credibility factor - with both your endorsment and atrox's - I feel better about my chances. (I've been going through the doubt/belief phase for too long.)

A.J.

 

Now I'm not sure that Mr Wiles would look at a Peace Dollar---I thought we were talking about DD's and the like---he is more of a variety guy....
If you think you have a High Relief Peace Dollar you need to send it to either NGC or PCGS.
If you are an ANA member or if you have an Ebay ID you can send coins to NGC---it will cost you about $30+S&H and will be well worth it.

Speedy

 

How to tell if your 1922 Peace is High Relief

High Relief, concave fields as in 1921; design modified, two short rays added to coronet (making 11 in all), lettering redrawn (especially noticable at L and WE TRVST), all hair details stronger, mountain entirely redrawn, feathers stregthened. Matte surfacse like the first 1921's; the only 1922 high-relief dollars. Ill. 5713. 6-8 known.


Speedy

 

Speedy,

I didn't mean to mislead regards my initial intention, I was trying to emphasize the authentication thing - this is something new to me (I've only used the PCGS a couple of times through a freind). I'm really grateful for the information provided, and DDs are my primary interest.

A.J.

 

A.J...attached is a photo of John Wexlers photo from his book showing the 70S die scratch through the 0 of the date. Does your 70S DDO have that marker?

I think you should send it to James Wiles...he is the person who maintains the CONECA listings, he is the 20th Century U.S. die variety attributer for the organization. He is looking for one to confirm for the listings...see http://www.conecaonline.org/content/lincolndoubleddies19701979.html#_1970-S.

I'm not surprized you haven't found a C.w.obscurus in Arizona...I would say that is the rarest snake in Arizona. I'm impressed you have found C.w.w., another hard one to find. Have you ever messed with lichanura...that is my favorite.

Larry Nienaber

 

Ah...my bad...I should have re-read the post.
PCGS is alright too---but you will need to send them through a dealer or someone who has joined the PCGS club for $$$.

Speedy