If you favor finding errors and varieties, one of the easiest and readily available examples is the 1970-S Large and Small Date cents, both in business and proof strikes.
You should look for the Small Date cents, which command a higher premium. While these retail in red high mint state for hundreds of dollars, there also is an ultra rare double die worth thousands, to be discussed later.
Let’s start with the diagnostics as depicted below:
The small date has a high 7 and the large date, a low one. Also, the 7 is even with the 0 in the small date. The 7 in the large date descends a tad lower than the 0.
Here are the two varieties side by side in red high mint state:
Because the dates are similar in size, you will need a loupe at first to distinguish the varieties until you become more familiar with the differences.
To assess value, go to PCGS CoinFacts. You’ll see the small date variety has higher premiums.
(Right click photo to enlarge.)
The ultra rare double die obverse business strike is worth thousands and can be identified with or without a loupe:
Chances of finding the DDO are remote, but still possible, because many of the proof sets sell inexpensively and, because of that, often are overlooked.
If you want to learn more about the large and small date 1970-S cents, including its mint history, see this PCGS video:
The varieties also exist in proof state:
Again check retail values on CoinFacts, showing the small date variety commanding with higher prices. Nevertheless, both are affordable and still often found in overlooked proof sets.
(Right click photo to enlarge.)
Finally, if you are into rainbow coins, the 1970-S planchets have an impurity that results in lovely target toning, as in this example:
Happy hunting!
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