I dont think they are harder... just may not be circulated largely yet. The local
supermarket here probably gave me in change over the last couple weeks, around 10
of them. I actually got both mints on them right away. Plus a $100 in quarters last week
at the bank , I got 2 full rolls of all S.Dakota straight from the mint bag, so they are just
recently appearing here, but in full force.
I think I found an error on one though ! Will have to research, but the reeding on the edge,
is 2/3rds solid shiny smooth copper, with only 1/3 reeded. No step, just no reed. Whole way
around the coin. Anyone have info on that type of thing ?