The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln cent is a scarce variety as compared to the complementary 1970-S Large Date, and both varieties are widely collected by Lincoln cent enthusiasts. The small date variety can be attributed by examining where the digit 7 of the date sits relative to its adjacent numerals; with the small date, the top of the 7 touches an imaginary line drawn between the tops of the 1 and 0 in the date. Also, the inscription LIBERTY is much weaker on the small date than on the large date.