In producing the 1960 and 1960-D cents, the U.S. Mint used dies that came to be known as large and small and misaligned ones that overlaid the small or large over the other.
The 1960 and 1960-D cents have small and large varieties. The 1960-D cent has a small over large date variety.
In proof state, the 1960 has small dates in red, cameo and deep cameo. You can also find 1960 Small over Large Date and Large over Small Date varieties.
First, let’s view the diagnostics so that you can identify large and small. We’ll begin with the 1960 business strike:
In the large date cent to the right, the “9” rises higher than the “1” and the “6,” higher than the “0.”
The 1960-D large and small dates have different diagnostics.
The ascender of the “6” of the small date rises just a tad higher than the “0.” The ascender of the large date is higher and more pronounced.
The 1960-D Small Over Large Date features both diagnostics.
As for values, the small and large date 1960/60-D in mint state are similar, averaging $3-140 (MS60-66). At 67 and above, red, values soar into the hundreds and thousands. These, however, are ultra rare.
The 1960-D/D Small/Large Date is more desirable, with values between $80-675 (MS60-66).
The varieties also exist in proof state. The 1960 large and small dates retail for less than $100 in mint state (MS60-66) and a bit more at MS67 Deep Cameo. At MS68, the small date is somewhat rarer, selling in the low hundreds.
The 1960 Large over Small Date Proof Lincoln Cent commands a nice premium, again in the hundreds, in higher mint and cameo states. The overlay of dies is easy to detect:
The 1960 Small over Large date is more dramatic and equally desirable with similar retail values.
Obviously you want to find a Small/Large variety in both business and proof strikes. Begin by learning to identify small and large dates in the 1960 business strike. Then advance to the 1960-D and finally to the small/large dates and proof strikes.
Happy hunting!
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