This type is really a die clash. The obverse and reverse dies struck each other with no planchet between them. Mint employees worked the dies to remove evidence of the die clash. However they didn't fix the area around Franklins upper lip. It looks like his two front teeth are large and protruding. They are made by the wing tips of the small eagle from the reverse. Franklin half dollars minted in 1955 are most commonly found with this die clash, but they are known in several earlier dates also.

Early in 1956 the mint changed the reverse dies used to make Franklin Half Dollars. They added a lot of detail to the eagle. Each wing feather is made distinct. The breast feathers are well defined.

Franklin half dollars made prior to 1956 all have the type 1 eagle. After that they all are type 2. However there were a few type ones made in 1956. Happy Cherry picking!

In 1964 there was a small change made early on in the production of proof Roosevelt dimes. The tail of the nine on the left tapers off, it is not perfectly flat and blunt. So it is called a Pointed Nine. The dime on the right is a regular one. This variety is briefly mentioned in the Red Book.

If you have a proof set with an Accented Hair Kennedy please check the dime. I don't know for sure but suspect that most will also have a pointed nine dime. Like the AH Kennedy there are fewer Pointed Nine dimes than the regular ones.

In 1971 the mint produced approximately 1,600 proof nickels with no mint mark by mistake. They were minted in San Francisco. Like all 1971 Proof Jefferson nickels they are hard to find with Deep Cameo contrast.

One of the ways America commemorated the Bicentennial was to change the design of the quarter, half and dollar. These coins are dated 1776-1976. They were minted both in 1975 and in 1976.

The most noticeable change is in the lettering on the reverse. In 1975 the lettering is flat and fat. Since these were produced first they are called Type 1. Starting in 1976 the Type 2s have thinner letters with higher relief. Check out the photos at right. The difference is most obvious by looking at the D and R in DOLLAR.

Most, if not all, 2003 proof Lincoln Cents lack frost on the 3 in the date. Since the 3 is brilliant like the fields it "disappears" in some photos. At the right are two photos of the exact same coin taken with the coin tilted at different angles.

The 3 is really there, it just isn't perfectly frosted. This is not a variety. It is not scarce or rare at all. They are not worth anything extra so please don't pay extra for this coin.