what are the charactersistics of a 1964 SMS Kennedy Half

jdimmick

I picked up a 64 kennedy half the other day that I am beginning to wonder if it could in fact be an SMS coin. The surfaces are simply outstanding with not a single mark, nic's or contact at all. Also, the coin appears to have smooth crisp surfaces like other SMS coins and resembles somewhat of a proof issues, but it is not a proof?

I am sure that it is not, but would like some additional info?

jim

Myqqy

Unless I'm horribly mistaken, my understanding was that special mint sets were issued only from 65-67. So either you have a proof, or a MS coin, yes?

Russ

<< <i>Unless I'm horribly mistaken >>



You are.

Jim,

It will not appear similar to the prooflike surfaces of the 65 to 67 SMS coins. It's more of a cross between matte and satin. Do you have images? Even if it isn't an SMS, but rather a business strike, in the condition you described, it would be HUGE.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

Here's one that appeared on Teletrade:



NGC Specimen MS69.

Russ, NCNE

Myqqy

So, due to my horrible mistake, I need to clarify- there were mint sets in 64, but not special mint sets, yes??

Russ

<< <i>there were mint sets in 64, but not special mint sets, yes?? >>



There were also SMS sets. Estimates range from 10 to 25.

Russ, NCNE

DHeath

Jim, Russ is right. If yours is as clean as you suggest, it's a great score. Here's the same specimen "SMS" coin Russ pictured from Teletrade in a later Heritage auction from a different angle.

coinguy1

An unknown number (possibly fewer than 30) of experimental 1964 "SMS" pieces were coined. However they do not look like typical/regular "SMS" coins - their appearance is generally satin-like, rather than matte or prooflike.

Myqqy

Ok, that's the last time I try to talk about kennedys.....

Estimates range from 10 to 25.

So, there might be 10 to 25 single kennedy 64 sms coins out there among the millions and millions made? So I was almost, sort of right, maybe??

DHeath

Myqqy, the grading services believe there were more than Kennedys in these "sets". They attribute all denominations. The pic below is one very funky Dime in an SMS holder.

eyoung429

One thing that I did notice is that the stars over the right wing on the reverse, break the lines similar to an AH.......is that the same case? I have a '64 that has the lines broken and another that has the strong lines. Which would be the correct?? Could it be a marriage?

ss350camaro

Interesting pictures. At first glance it looks cleaned. Lots of what appear to be hairlines which one would attribute to a harsh cleaning. ?

Russ

<< <i>Lots of what appear to be hairlines which one would attribute to a harsh cleaning. >>



Die polish lines.

Russ, NCNE

lordmarcovan

Myqqy, don't feel bad. I'd never heard of a '64 SMS, either.

DHeath

Here's a blow-up of the stars. It's difficult to tell whether this coin is from the broken-ray reverse, but I believe it is. It is NOT the first (AH) obverse. The coins all appear to me to be from unpickled and unfinished proof dies.

lordmarcovan

Thread hijack:

That's a great sigline cat, eyoung429.

Seems like some cats have a box fetish.

Penny, our world famous "Turn-Off-The-Lights" Cat likes boxes and baskets and even sleeps with her legs stuck down my shoes, sometimes. ALL cats like paper bags and boxes, but it takes a special kind to squeeze into a small box like your kitty did. Penny does that a lot.

jdimmick

Russ, Don and Mark,

Thanks, its not similar to the SMS images, so I can rule that out. But It does not look like a proof coin, but has the exceptionally clean surfaces that you would find on a proof. If this coin is a MS, its going to grade very high IMO. Ill try and get some decent photo's to post in the meantime. Might even try and get Don H too look at it for me later in the week, he is good with High grade moderns?

jtwax

1964 SMS

Russ

<< <i>Might even try and get Don H too look at it for me later in the week, he is good with High grade moderns? >>



He's one of the best there is.

Russ, NCNE

susanlynn9

<< <i>Ok, that's the last time I try to talk about kennedys..... >>


Don't feel bad myggy, I thought Special Mint Sets were only 65-67 too. So we both learned something new today.

ziggy29

<< <i>Don't feel bad myggy, I thought Special Mint Sets were only 65-67 too. So we both learned something new today. >>

Who knew? Well, maybe a few people, but not many...

LindeDad

Ok is it another $7500.00 plus coin or not?

DHeath

Jim, bring it by. I'd love to look. If you're excited about it, I know it's killer.

Russ

Bumpage.

Russ, NCNE

jdimmick

Russ,

Thanks for bumping this, I ended up passing thru Greensboro that next day, but missed seeing DON H, So he never did get to look at the coin. I ended up dipping the coin becuase it was dull and dingy, it came out looking super nice and the surfaces are very clean. But I am convinced that it is in fact a Proof striking. I found this coin in a roll of kennedy halves that had supposedly came from the bank way back when. Somehow it just ended up in a roll. Since then, I have shown it to two local folks, one who thinks that it looks like something more than a proof. But I am not convinced otherwise.

Anyway here is a photo!

Sorry for the delay, I have been the busiest this past week that I have all year long.

Russ

Yep, it's a late struck proof. Damn! I was hoping you nailed an MS68 business strike.

Russ, NCNE