?

mbbiker

I've seen it used many times what does sms mean???????

what year/years are there sms coins?

IrishMike

special mint set

itsnotjustme

Special Mint Sets were produced from 1965 through 1967 (and some other years for single coins). There were no mint sets or proof sets these years... only SMS coins. These are generally nicer than standard mint set coins, even being cameo or deep cameo in some cases.

supercoin

Short Meaningless Subject

cladking

The special mint sets have never caught on with people. Proof set collectors consider
them mint sets, and mnt set collectors think of them as proof sets since they often look
like proofs. They are actually both in many ways since the processes used to produce
the coins varied so much over the short time they were produced. Some of the '65's
were struck with regular circulation dies which had been polished and struck on pol-
ished blanks. They look awful, but most are very high grade. Most were struck once by
polished dies (acid etched for cameo devices) and handled like regular mint set coins.
But in addition to the various minting, preparation, and handling procedures there are
also some which are cross-overs, so they probably range from pure business strike to
full proofs. To complicate matters some coins released to circulation appeared like they
could be SMS.

mbbiker

when you get a sms coin graded does it get graded MS of PF? If MS how can you tell a sms coin from a regular circulation coin?

cladking

They're usually graded SMS. Nobody around here seems to know exactly how to tell
the difference, but with most it is apparent. Look at several sets- - you'll soon start seeing
how tough it is.

BNE

There are also rare Jefferson SMS issues from 1964. They command very high prices.

a2labmom

What are the rare Jeffersons from 64 SMS sets?

CarlWohlforth

Awesome icon BNE!!!!!

SMS coins are fun. The SMS coins from '65-'67 sometimes have cameo contrast with nice fields that look like mirrors. As there were no other mint sets or proof sets made those years some, including PCGS and myself, consider them to be proofs.

There were SMS Jefferson and Kennedy coins made in '94 and '97 (If I am remembering things correctly) that have a matte proof like finish. As there were also proofs and mint sets those years these are something completely different. I am almost alone in calling them matte proofs. Nobody can argue with calling them SMS coins.

As BNE said I've heard there were a few SMS sets (8?, 11?) made in 1964, naturally they are rare and expensive.

I think Cameo SMS coins from '65 to '67 should be worth as much as cameo proofs of years that have similiar population numbers. They often are less so represent an undervalued coin IMHO.

stujoe

<< <i>They're usually graded SMS. Nobody around here seems to know exactly how to tell the difference, but with most it is apparent. Look at several sets- - you'll soon start seeing how tough it is. >>



It can be tough on some and easier on others. The ones that are prooflike are pretty easy but if they don't look prooflike, I can't tell.

The one in my grading challenge this week is nicely prooflike in person even though it doesn't show up well in the picture.

richbeat

The matte finish Jeffersons were issued in 1994 and 1997, and the silver matte finish Kennedy was issued in 1998.