The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln cent is a common variety that is popular with series enthusiasts who want one example of each the small date and the much more common large date. The small date can be differentiated from the large date in two ways. The typical way to attribute a 1970-S Small Date is to draw an imaginary line from the tops of the 1 and 0 in the date; with the small date, the top of the 7 would touch that invisible plane. Also, the inscription LIBERTY is weaker on the small date than it is on the large date. The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln cent is considerably scarce in MS66RD and rare in MS67RD or higher.
| coinage-type | Lincoln obverse; Memorial reverse |
| desg | MS |
| designer | Victor Brenner (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse) |
| diameter | 19 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 95% copper; 5% zinc |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 690,560,004 |
| ngc-id | 22GM |
| obverse-description | Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portait and the date postioned on the right side. |
| pcgs-link | 2935 |
| pcgs-number | 2935 |
| reverse-description | Lincoln memorial building centered with words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on top and bottom periphery. E PLURIBUS UNUM centered above the top of the memorial. |
| variety | Small Date |
| weight-grams | 3.11 |
| year-display | 1959-2008 |