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1866-S
Variety 101
Obverse 1: High Date, Sharp Downward Slope
Reverse A: Small Weak S, [mm Lt,H], Reverse of 1865 (C)
Obverse 1 Reverse A
Obverse Diagnostic Point(s) Reverse Diagnostic Point(s)
Comments: Obverse 1 shows a die crack from Liberty's ear, down through her body and to the banner on the shield. A second die crack is visible at the base of the date and connecting to the rim to the right of the date. Greer indicates that these cracks may not show on the earliest die states.
Reverse A features a Small Weak S mintmark that was first seen in 1865 as Variety 104 Reverse C. Many 1866-S dime produced with Reverse A will should a very weak mintmark. On some circulated examples, the mintmark may be completely missing. As a result, 1866-S F-101 dimes can be misattributed and often sold as a 1866 Philadelphia dime by dealers who have insufficient working knowledge of seated dimes. Look carefully at all 1866 Philadelphia dimes offered for sale and compare the date positions to the following illustrations to validate the origin of the coin being sold.
1866 Business Strike Date Postions
Obverse 1 Obverse 2
Note that the 1866 Philadelphia date punches do not have a strong downward slope as the date punch on 1866-S Obverse 1. Also the date horizontal date position on 1866-S Obverse 1 as it is further right (DR 2C) than either 1866-P obverse dies.
Plate Coin: G. Fortin Collection, PCGS MS65 CAC Green