USPI-1C
1918-S


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY
Item Description: 1C 1918 S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.16
Grade: PCGS MS 62 BN
Owner: coin928
 
Winning Set: USPI-1C
Date Added: 3/12/2008
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

Lyman Allen #2.16 (KM #163) - Total Mintage: 11,660,000

The 1918 Normal Size "S" is relatively easy to obtain. Gem Red and RB examples however are much more difficult. In the 2008-2009 edition of his book, Lyman Allen lists 5 Red and only a moderate number of RB examples in the Combined Population Report. As of this revision, NGC has certified no coins as red or red-brown.

The normal mint mark on these coins is between 1.2 and 1.3 millimeters tall and is centered between the dot and the rim. The "S" on the Large "S" variety is 2.0 millimeters tall and based on the size and shape, appears to have been produced using the punch intended for the Fifty Centavo pieces of the same year. A 1918 S Medium "S" variety with a mint mark measuring 1.5 millimeters in height is also known to exist. I have seen an ANACS certified Small "S" variety for sale. I do not know the exact size of the the mint mark, but it did appear significantly smaller than the normal "S."

This particular coin, while not a high grade example, is still quite interesting. It is not very well struck, but still does exhibit some red surfaces on both the obverse and reverse. It also has two very prominent die cracks. One is between the mint mark and the "U" in UNITED and the other cuts directly through the "I" in UNITED. The weakness of the shield just above the mint mark along with the cracks indicate that the die may have become significantly damaged at some time prior to striking this coin.

This coin is also very typical of all copper coins struck at the San Francisco mint between 1908 and 1924. The reverse, although significantly brown, does exhibit some pale, brassy streaks across the diagonal which are often referred to as a "woodgrain" pattern. This streaking is due to impurities in the alloy or concentrations of pure copper due to incomplete mixing with the tin and zinc. When the ingots were rolled into strips for blanking, these impurities or concentrations became elongated and appeared as streaks in the coins when they began to tone.

Varieties:
------------
ALLEN-2.16a - Large "S"
Medium "S," as yet uncataloged. The "S" mint mark measures 1.5 millimeters in height.
Small "S," as yet uncataloged. The mint mark size is unknown, but noticeably smaller than the normal "S."

Date acquired: 3/9/2008 (already graded by PCGS)

References:
- "San Francisco Mint Cents 1908-24" posted by David Lange, NGC Research Director on July 1, 2003 (http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?IDArticle=726)

Rev. 11/30/2012

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