Type 1 and Type 2 Modern Issue

[tgilliams]

Could you tell me the differnce between Type 1 and Type 2 Modern issue coins? Specifically the SBA, Lincoln, and Jefferson's. Why were they only minted in select years such as 1979 and 1981. Assume the Type 2 coins are rarer, since a prmium is usually paid for these coins. tg64144@aol.com

[DWLange]

These terms refer to the mintmark puncheon used on the 1979-S and 1981-S proof coins. The old S puncheon wore out in 1979, becoming filled and nearly unreadable. It was replaced midyear with a sharper one that one was used on fewer 1979 dies than the first. These are the Type 1 and Type 2 of 1979.

 

This replacement puncheon likewise wore out during 1981, becoming filled, and it was replaced with yet another S mintmark toward the end of proof coin production. These are the Type 1 and Type 2 of 1981, but you can see that the Type 1 of 1981 is actually the same puncheon as Type 2 of 1979.

 

In each case, the second mintmark (known variously as Clear S or Type 2) was used for fewer dies, and the resulting coins are much scarcer. They do carry a premium, particularly for the cent and dollar. Rather than attempt to describe how to distinguish one from the other, I'll simply refer you to page 193 of the Yeoman's Red Book, which provides very good illustrations of the three different S mintmarks involved.

 

Use of the terms "Type 1" and "Type 2" was a poor choice, since the coin type didn't change at all. Unfortunately, this decision was made by the marketplace, and NGC follows it to prevent confusion.