Lincoln Cent Obverse Design Changes write-ups

[Novicetoerr]

Hi ALL!

Anybody has a write-up of the above (specifically on Lincoln bust's shirt collar and bowtie)? Any transitional varieties, too? I have collections of distinctions.

Or were there really official Obverse design changes?

Thanks,
J

[wavysteps]

The Lincoln cent obverse design changes are a work in progress that will hopefully be completed by the end of thee year. As to changes in and around the bow tie, yes there were; at least five have been noted.

BJ Neff

[Novicetoerr]

Thanks!

Then there can be transitional varieties that we can dig in.
I have noted changes from my coins from 1920 to date.
Not sure, though, official dates of US Mint's implementaion.


J

[wavysteps]

I think a better way of putting it would be to say "that there maybe varieties on transitional coins". For example; I just found a 1998 Type II reverse Lincoln cent with a small extra column. That would be considered a transitional with a DDR.

You have to remember that the variety die was manufactured first and no matter if that die was used with the correct or incorrect opposite die, that variety still would have existed whether transitional or not.

BJ Neff

[JamesWiles]

There are no known transitional obverse design varieties for the Lincoln cent. It appears that the design changes were made with the new master dies for each year's date. There are a couple of dates where there are two obverse designs for the same year (1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1982, etc).
The one place where there are two designs in the same year for both obverse and reverse is 1971. I haven't done enough checking to determine if all the combinations are present (Obv 1/Rev 1, Obv 1/Rev 2, Obv 2/Rev 1, Obv 2/Rev 2). The difference in the obverse is a re-engraved throat & tie. On the reverse there are a series of re-engraved steps on the lower Right. They are very fine lines and would probably wear away quickly with circulation. I would be interested is hearing which combinations you find.

[Novicetoerr]

In reference to James Wiles' clarifications, have attached my 1971-S (DDR) with re-designed obverse and reverse.

Thanks,
J

[JamesWiles]

The Reverse of your coin is NOT a DDR (it is MDD) nor does it appear to be the redesigned style. The extra lines in the steps are located next to the post (urn) on the right side. It is not very obvious and requires some study to see the differences. The obverse of the 71 does appear to be from the redesigned throat type. It is easy to discern the differences on the obverse.