1979-S Type 2 Proof Coins

Midway through 1979, the San Francisco Mint swapped its blobby “filled S” proof punch for a crisp new “clear S” — and the coins struck with the new punch, led by the SBA dollar and the Lincoln cent, became the ones collectors chase.

History

All 1979 proof coins were struck at San Francisco and sold in the year’s six-coin proof set (cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and the brand-new Susan B. Anthony dollar). Early in the year the Mint used an S mintmark punch that struck up mushy and filled — the “Type 1” or “filled S.” Later in the year a sharper punch was introduced, producing the “Type 2” or “clear S,” distinguished by a neat S with clear loops and rounded serifs (Chula Vista Coins & Collectables; Quality Collectible Coins).

The variety spans all six denominations in the set, but the two coins collectors pursue most are the 1979-S Type 2 Susan B. Anthony dollar and the 1979-S Type 2 Lincoln cent. The Mint kept no separate production tally: the full 1979 proof mintage of 3,677,175 sets covers both types together (Greysheet).

What is it worth

Type 2 coins command a clear premium over their Type 1 siblings, and the SBA dollar is the headline piece: ungraded Type 2 SBA proofs recently changed hands on eBay in the roughly $20–$45 range, while Type 2 cents brought roughly $7–$15 (PriceCharting eBay sold data). Complete 1979 Type 2 (clear S) proof sets in original Mint packaging retail around $45 (Chula Vista Coins & Collectables).

Cameo and deep-cameo examples of both coins carry stronger premiums, and the finest graded pieces — such as a PR70 Deep Cameo Type 2 SBA dollar — are genuinely scarce showpieces (Heritage). Precise price-guide ranges for these varieties were not documented in the consulted references — compare live listings in the Market check below.

What drives the premium

Correct attribution is the foundation: a coin is only worth Type 2 money if the mintmark is unambiguously the clear S. Numismatic experts believe only about 15% of all 1979 Lincoln proofs carry the Type 2 mintmark, so scarcity does the heavy lifting on the cent (Greysheet). On the SBA dollar, the same scarcity story combines with first-year-of-issue demand. Cameo contrast and high grades multiply the premium on both.

How to identify the valuable variety

Type 1 (“filled S”) looks like a blob — the loops of the S are filled and the letter reads as a lump. Type 2 (“clear S”) is a neat, well-formed S with open loops and rounded, bulbous serifs (Chula Vista Coins & Collectables). One dealer’s memorable test: imagine shaping the S from a clay stick — if the inner surfaces don’t touch, you have the Type 2 shape; press the sides together into a blob and you have Type 1 (Quality Collectible Coins).

A useful cross-check: the 1979-S Type 2 punch is the same S later used on the 1980 and 1981 Type 1 proofs, so a known 1980-S proof coin makes a good visual reference (Greysheet). As always, magnification helps — the difference is obvious at 10x but can be subtle to the naked eye.

Specifications

Susan B. Anthony dollar: 8.10 grams, copper-nickel clad (75% copper, 25% nickel over a copper core). NGC ID 259F; PCGS coin number 99590 (Heritage). Lincoln cent: 3.11 grams, 19 mm, 95% copper (Greysheet). Both: struck at San Francisco (S mintmark), proof finish, included in the 1979 proof set (total mintage 3,677,175 sets; no separate Type 2 mintage recorded).

Collector notes

The practical hunting ground is original 1979 proof sets — many were never checked for the mintmark type, so unsearched sets still surface. Examine every denomination: the Type 2 punch appears on the nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar as well, and complete clear-S sets are the most liquid way to own the variety. Beware of sellers labeling ordinary Type 1 coins as Type 2; if the S looks blobby, it is Type 1 regardless of what the holder says.

Compare live listings for this coin on eBay:

Search eBay for 1979-S Type 2 Proof Coins

As an eBay Partner, The Coin Wiki may earn from qualifying purchases.