Confused by Kennedy Proofs

MikeB

I'm a little confused by Special Mint Set coins in the Kennedy Proof set.

PCGS lists coins like the 1965 SMS, 1966 SMS, and 1967 SMS in the set. As far as I can tell, thse are coins 6845, 6846, and 6847.

Why are these coins in the proof series, but graded with MS-numbers and not PR-numbers? Why aren't they graded for cameo and deep cameo?

What about the 1998-S SMS coin, number 6775? Why isn't it included in the proof registry set?

What's the difference between coin 86846 and 6846? And 96846?

Why doesn't PCGS list the coin numbers elligible for the sets on the page you get when you click on the "View Set Composition" link?

.B ekiM

Endocrinologist

The "SMS" Kennedies are from the Special Mint Sets. These are different from the business strike kennedies. They are not proof per se because they were not proof strikes; therefore, cameo and deep cameo designations would not apply.

As for the reason why the SMS are in the proof registry vs regular strikes is something arbitrary. I would prefer it to be in the proof strikes because there already exsists a business strike for those years.

Endo

DHeath

They are categorized based on appearance. The SMS coins frequently have mirrored fields and frosty devices, and are designated cam/dcam despite their MS status. The 98 SMS coin is always matte and therefore looks more like a mint state coin.


Here is a pic of 1 of my 66 halves

Edited to add - PCGS also designates. Refer to the price guide of pop report. I own many of these coins, and they are among my favorite moderns

MikeB

<< <i>therefore, cameo and deep cameo designations would not apply. >>

Well, no. Problem is, there are SMS coins given the cameo designation, even though they're still graded with an MS number.

For an example, follow this link. There are pleny more listed on eBay and in the population report.

Does anybody know the right answer?

.B ekiM

MikeB

<< <i>The 98 SMS coin is always matte and therefore looks more like a mint state coin. >>

does that mean the 1998 SMS coin appears in the regular business strikes registry set? I guess that's a good explanation, but it still seems a bit arbitrary to me.

.B ekiM

DHeath

Mike,

At first it would seem so, but imagine assembling a set of business strike coins with the 65,66,67 looking totally different, and then imagine having a beautiful dcam proof set with the matte satin 98 coin in the mix. They put the sets together based on appearance. IMO Compare the pic I put up in the link to a MS coin, and you'll see the problem.

Edited to Add - Yes the 98 SMS coin is in the Circulation Strikes w/Varieties set

Endocrinologist

You're right. I didn't know that these SMS could have CAM designations. I see the confusion. These SMS strikes are between a regular strike and proof strike. Someone probably would know about the minting process of these coins.

Endo

Russ

I'd also add that, unlike '65-'67, proof coins were struck in 1998 so the '98 SMS was in addition to, not substituted for, the proof coinage.

Russ, NCNE