Kennedy Half-Dollar, 1967 SMS.
keets
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The 1967 SMS Kennedy Half-Dollar is pretty well-known to have a die Variety called the BirthMark due to a small, frost free spot on the obverse portrait. To date the Variety is unattributed by PCGS(I'm not sure about NGC) and as far as I know not yet recognized by the fine folks who run the "CherryPickers Guide" for reasons unknown.
Anyone have feedback on what is holding things up?? This was most probably first recognized by Rick Tomaska but became popular thanks to old forum member Russ.
Al H.
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Thanks for the info! Do you happen to have an image? If not, where is the mark located. I want to search for that treasure before it becomes a "Cherrypicker" variety.
Here is a clear image - not mine.
I have been hoarding these for a long time, waiting for a potential payday when officially recognized as a variety.
I bought a dcam from Russ back in the old days. We were trying to promote the variety as being at least as "desirable" as some of the other Cherrypickers varieties.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
The dot head 1967 SMS CAM or DCAM half dollar is cool and creepy at the same time (for obvious reasons).
However, the 1951 proof CAM or DCAM Tumor variety quarter is even cooler and creepier IMHO. Much, much more damage inflicted on GW's head.
I have an example of the quarterbut have never found an example of the dot has half dollar.
IMHO, this should never rate a catalog listing in "Cherrypickers." In the 60's & 70's there was a pocket sized book with oddities suck as this. As you know, as neat as they are (this is neat), strike through spots on frosted coins are rather common. That said, if someone can gather a few rolls and market them properly with a catchy name ("birthmark"), there should be plenty of collectors who will jump at the chance to own one!
I get it and understand. I think you meant to say "such" instead of what you did. I would ask that if you have other examples of well known (not just one or two strikes) of a modern proof issue with a frost break like the Birthmark, that you post some photos so we can all learn from them. Also, the name of the pocket size book would be helpful as I have never heard of this compilation.
But I'll also wager that you will be secretly trying to procure an example of this "so called variety" just in case.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
if you have other examples of well known (not just one or two strikes) of a modern proof issue with a frost break like the Birthmark
hey 'nut, did you and Russ ever discuss --- or --- do you recall from any of the old threads, what the underlying cause of the break may have been?? it is peculiar that the frost break is in such a prominent place and yet was still used as a regular die for many multiples of strikes. also, it is one of the better obverse dies for the date with some superb coins. it reminds me of some 1965 SMS Quarters: some of the best coins come from the obverse die that has some die polish "burn" near the rim to the right side of the coin.
to me, it would seem that small spot on these Half-Dollars had to be intentionally done
As a side note, I used to use Kennedy's for target practice back in the 60's.....some sure have dents from those days!! Yes, I think this "birthmark" is creepy and have never desired to own one....
Would like to see a pic of the Washie though.
bob
I agree, but somehow die polish doesn't get any respect on modern proofs, but gets respect when you remove the leg of a buffalo... but I digress.
Here is a photo of what a Tumor variety looks like.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Actually we did and I don't have ready access to that dialog.
Our hypothesis was that some sort of "flake" was impressed onto the die to the extent that it covered the frostiness of the die surface in that spot. So these were more like a strike thru than anything. What would be really cool is that if this hypothesis is correct, that there might be a single coin that has the flake stuck on it. That would be a cool find, but neither of us ever found it.
I thought (and don't recall if Russ agreed or not) that the frost break was transient. In other words, it started on one coin and then stopped at some point down the run, presumably when the "flake" broke loose or was worn thru. It has been hard to find a coin that approaches light cameo that still has a recognizable frost break.
Edited to add: we never thought this was deliberate, just a random coincidence on the location.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Poor quality control hardly qualifies as a collectible variety.
Sorry to challenge you on this Captain, but lets face it, almost ALL varieties are due to poor quality control.
For example,
3 legged buffalo nickels
all doubled dies,
all RPM's
all RPD's
I am not an expert on VAM's but is suspect that most qualify.
I could go on an on and on and on.
Get my drift? The mint does some strange things to push product out the door. Quality was never a priority in my opinion.
On the positive side,
The mint has established new process protocols to try to eliminate many of the past quality control issues. They have made progress but are not yet a world class mint.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Nope, not interested. IMO, the ONLY uncommon thing about this coin is the size of the frost break and that it is on a Proof in the 1960's. I see so many frost breaks (usually much smaller) on modern Proofs that they are a distraction and I treat them just as a bag mark when grading even though the coin was struck that way. We would slab this coin as a "Strike Thru." IMO, it does not need a listing.
The only thing of interest I've imaged that would meet your challenge is a run of SE where the strike thru gets smaller and smaller with each successive coin until it disappears and the complete frosted surface is back. You can consider this a lie as I'm not going to look thru thousands of unorganized images to find it. I believe that I did publish a similar group in a grading column in the last four years.
The book is: VARIETY AND ODDITY US COINS By Frank G. Spadone
Poor quality control hardly qualifies as a collectible variety
while I tend to agree with most of what my learned friend posts, this is where we diverge from that. I would say that many, many, of the most sought after and collectible Varieties are in fact a result of poor quality control. past that I don't think it's a point to become embroiled with.
Our hypothesis was that some sort of "flake" was impressed onto the die
I had never considered the "flake" theory as a cause, but to my logic if that were the cause there should be coins with something approaching the "Tumor" in appearance, where there is a noticeable distortion in that area before the flake falls off and reveals the un-frosted surface. I would then expect it to blend into the surrounding surface as the overall frost fades to Cameo and brilliant. since we tend to find nice, deeply frosted coins with the Variety it leads me to think that when it was noticed by the Mint/press operator the die was removed.
if this were listed by CherryPickers I would expect interest to be high in a popular series. right now, not many are aware of it and there are coins that can still be found. a final thought: given the size and location of the frost break I find it interesting that it is ignored by the major TPG's.
Russ was an avid collector of these (and AH's)... he would search all the sets available at shows. I thought I had found one once, and told him about it. He literally ran to the dealer's table...it turned out that it was not the 'birthmark' variety... similar though. He thought that particular coin was the result of a hit. After looking at it with him, I agreed. I have often wondered what happened to his collection... He had a lot of coins that he was hoarding as future high value items. Cheers, RickO
I have often wondered what happened to his collection... He had a lot of coins that he was hoarding as future high value items
I think he had once "made" a PR68DCAM AH Kennedy and he joked that he would be buried with it and "it's in my will like that" but don't know if he was joking.
"To me, it would seem that small spot on these Half-Dollars had to be intentionally done".
It's food for thought, Al, but I don't think so. The "location" of the real area was on the other side of the head, and I believe a little further back.
Even to this day I have trouble discussing it, as I was in 5th Grade when it happened. If I went back to my old classroom today I could point out the exact spot where my desk was.
Pete
There was a major coin shortage at the time. The Mint rushed EVERYTHING.
Pete
It's food for thought, Al, but I don't think so. The "location" of the real area was on the other side of the head
Pete, I didn't mean that it was intentionally done to mimic President Kennedy, just that it looks like it was done by a worker.
The spot is NOT intentional. Kennedy died several years before so this type of defect on a 1964 Proof would be a better claim for sure.
There are several clues on a coin's surface used to narrow down the cause of these anomalies. Its edge and interior surface covers most of them. I think Bill Fivaz came up with something like this: "I don't know what caused it as I was not there when it happened."
I should think that at least the second tier services would put "strike Thru" on the label. They would not name it until the variety guys did such as the "Wounded Eagle." collar.
I'll ask the owner if I can post images of his Lincoln cent with a bullet hole behind the ear plus head splatter. He wants to call it the "Assination Cent."
@keets....I recall him saying that... though I never knew if he was really serious....Russ had a fantastic sense of humor and sarcasm...And he did have that coin. Cheers, RickO
@Insider2
Thanks - I have seen that book before, but never looked inside. Was able to find one on Abe Books for $3.50 delivered. I look forward to looking it over when it arrives.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Back then the die chips, etc. were a big deal!
?
This is just the thing; it's not really a proof. Frost is relatively scarce on SMS and the "dot head" is one of the most strongly frosted of all the dies.
I'm not sure it should be included but I am sure there are a lot less interesting coins being chased.
This is just the thing; it's not really a proof. Frost is relatively scarce on SMS and the "dot head" is one of the most strongly frosted of all the dies
tsk, tsk......................details, details. more collectors would rather chase stuff like a 1922 "No D" Lincoln Cent or three-leg 1937-D Buffalo Nickel because a group decided they are legitimate Varieties. Defend the Kingdom.
LOL, Thanks for the corrections, I didn't understand the (?). SMS/PR what do I know?