1964 SMS Sets?

moosesr

Anyone know the story on the 1964 SMS sets? I didn't know they made any, but noticed a few listed in the PCGS population reports.

Thanks,
Charlie

MSD61

I didn't know 1964 SMS were produced either

Gonfunko

They didn't make 1964 SMS sets - what you see in the Population Report are extremely rare and valuable 1964 cents that were produced as patterns to test the practicality and appearance of SMS coins. Any 1964 SMS coin is worth a considerable amount, meaning several thousand dollars.

Numismanic

Some information on the 1964 SMS sets. 1964 SMS

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS

There are at least 20 sms sets that were sold through Stacks when they sold the Lester Merkin estate.they were NEVER officially released.

Stewart

DHeath

I've got that catalogue. Nov 30/Dec 1, 1994. I believe several of the halves escaped and one was sold raw, based on the description. Lot#921. Just a hunch based on some personal inquiry. They were NOT early production coins based on die markers, so prototypes is a likely answer. Many of the lesser denomination coins have way too much coarse die polish to be presentation pieces, and the halves are NOT AH, so they weren't early prototypes. They do however have an unusual finish, and it is not like the production 65 SMS set. The halves were extremely well struck with dies that were better prepared. The most interesting question is what Lester Merkin was doing with a single 1964 Kennedy in his estate, and why it was listed and auctioned seperately, even though there were several lots of proof sets and coins sold elsewhere in the auction. Merkin's discovery coin was also sold in that auction, a 1922 Gem Matte Proof 1922 Peace dollar, alongside the finest known 1795 Half O-123 that Breen used as a plate coin for his Encyclopedia. Pretty interesting that Merkin collected Kennedys.

It hammered for $10, and was described as a pale grey brilliant proof.

Peetie

Very interesting. Is it possible that some of these SMS coins are holdered, without the SMS designation, as high grade circulation strikes? And would you be able to tell the difference?

DHeath

Peetie, I don't think so, as the graders at PCGS/NGC/ANACS all know what the coins look like. The original purchaser bought 10 sets, four of which had ordinary halves. That doesn't mean there weren't more sets around, or that the coins had been switched. I'm just relaying the information I got from the buyer. The "pale grey brilliant proof" had a fingerprint, much like one of the holdered halves. Below is an old Teletrade pic of one of the halves. They're pretty distinctive. Is that a print on the right obverse rim?

Russ

<< <i>Is it possible that some of these SMS coins are holdered, without the SMS designation, as high grade circulation strikes? >>



The single MS68 1964 Kennedy business strike listed in the PCGS pop report is one of these that is now in an NGC MS69 Specimen holder.

Russ, NCNE

cladking

There's a mention of these coins at the end of the article

Russ

Man, I want the 1967 set pictured in that article!



YUM YUM!

Russ, NCNE

cladking

The Denver mint used to have one on display that was even better!

Peetie

Thanks for the info on this DHeath, this hobby and this board never ceases to fascinate me.

Russ, does this mean that whoever cracked that 68 didn't turn the label in, or is PCGS just behind in removing it?

Aethelred

<< <i>Man, I want the 1967 set pictured in that article!



YUM YUM!

Russ, NCNE >>



Dear God, so do I. Wanna fight for it?

Russ

<< <i>Russ, does this mean that whoever cracked that 68 didn't turn the label in, or is PCGS just behind in removing it? >>



I'm not sure if the coin was cracked out before going to NGC, or if it was sent as a cross. But, PCGS has been made aware of the problem and hasn't done anything to correct it.

Russ, NCNE