Help with Special Mint Sets

Coins101

Hi you all. I need your help or opinion.

I recently purchased some 1966 SMS and after looking at them, I am kind of wondering . . . can the plastic holders be opened and coins removed or substituted, and then snapped back together? I have a couple of them where the quarter and half are really dull but the dime; nickel and penny are really shiny. It also appears the case has been opened.

Were they originally sealed by the mint or just snapped together?

TonedCoinTrader

I opened mine at the sides and got my Icon pic out of a 66 sms holder
it is made to open.
Scott

DHeath

Snapped together.

ss350camaro

I had the same question a couple weeks ago. Sadly they were not sealed shut and anyone can substitute the coins and re-sell the set.

Coins101

I was afraid of that.

Now, let me ask another question. Is there any sure fire way of telling a SMS half from a regular business strike? I was assuming they would be "proof like" but yet it appears there are SMS, SMS CAM and SMS DCAM coins. Any help will be greatly appreciated, as I am ready to contact the seller.

ss350camaro

no

edited to add: I would saw "in general, but not always" a SMS coin will look better than the typical Business strike. Only because it has been in the holder, if it's the original coin. I've gotten some in '66 and '67 SMS sets that look beautiful, and others that look like circulated coins. all of the sellers insist they're not tampered with. Ya ...Right

Russ

<< <i>Is there any sure fire way of telling a SMS half from a regular business strike? >>



Ah, the age old question that has no answer. Does this look like an SMS or a business strike?



PCGS says SMS - and basically they'll say that about any coin that grades high, even when they're wrong.

Now, a coin like this is obviously SMS:



Russ, NCNE

Agflyer

Don't forget to look for varieties like the doubled die obverse on the half or the absense of the initials, "FG" on the reverse of the half. I think most people look for cameos, but forget about varieties.

cladking

There's likely some substitution of these coins occuring now days but it's probably not
very common yet. Five years ago it was most uncommon to see evidence of it. People
searching for high grades have removed many of the better sets rather than people
switching coins. You can still find gems and cameos but you'll have to look at more sets.