1965 SMS Quarter questions.

SanctionII

I have picked up multiple raw 1965 SMS Quarters that have frosted devices and fields that vary from semiprooflike to watery deep mirror. However, only one coin clearly looks like a clad Cameo Proof. The obverse looks just like a Cameo Proof and indeed the devices look like they have DCAM frost to me. The reverse has frosted devices and mirrored fields, however they both lack the level of frost and depth of mirror that the obverse has.

I have questions about this coin; and would like any forum members who have similar examples to post a picture of same (so I can compare it with mine).

My questions are:

#1. For Cameo 1965 SMS quarters, is it typical for the obverse frost and mirrors to be far superior to the frost and mirrors on the reverse (or are both sides have equal frost and mirrors on the finest quality specimens)?;

#2. What are the current pops for PCGS & NGC 1965 SMS quarters in MS CAM and DCAM?; and

#3. What are the current values of slabbed and of raw 1965 SMS quarters in MS CAM and DCAM?

Thanks in advance for your answers and for any pics you post. SanctionII.

RGL

Don will be with you since he knows these better than I ... But, the best 65 CAM SMS quarters tend to display a heavy semi circle ring of die polishing along the right obverse rim ... do yours display this die polishing?

Russ

<< <i>the best 65 CAM SMS quarters tend to display a heavy semi circle ring of die polishing along the right obverse rim >>



Which is quite evident on this one:



Russ, NCNE

RGL

Indeed, that is both the die and the look ...

DHeath

The 65 SMS Washington is one of my very favorite coins. It represents the mint in flux. Randy said a bunch. The 65 SMS coins frequently have a pair of die marks from 11:00 to 6:00 in the hair that look like parallel lines, and the all have some degree of die polish around the rims. Usually, the area around the eagle head is satin, or not as well mirrored as the rest of the reverse. On the 65, the reverse cam is usually weaker than the obverse, and there are frequently cameo breaks on the right inner wing. PCGS has cam'd 64 of these, and dcam'd 1. NGC has cam'd 39, Ucam'd 0, and star'd 0. Prices are in constant flux, as there are very few Washington collectors chasing the later date coins. The PCGS MS67 Cam's trade around $450, and the NGC coins are around $300. Below is one of my favorites. I love the texture of the mirrors. The fields almost seem to have pores.




Link to a typical PCGS Cam on Teletrade.

CarlWohlforth

Nice photos gang! SanctionII we want photos of your gem! It sounds great. '65 is clearly the toughest year for cameo SMS coins...

SanctionII

Up late, just checked replies to my post. Thanks for your comments and pics. My best 65 has no ring of die polishing on the right rim or anywhere. It also has no die marks. It also has mirrors all around the eagle's head. It also has no frost breaks on the right wing. The obverse devices look like the two pics and the obverse has mirrors better than those shown in the two pics. The reverse looks better than the reverse on Russ's pic and does not look as nice as the reverse on Don's pic. All things considered, I think I have a very nice 65 SMS Cam. Not a bad cherry pick from a 1965 SMS set I picked up for $10-12 dollars in June. Thanks again.

DHeath

Sure sounds like a nice piece, and I'd love to see a pic if you get a chance. Nice pick-up.

cladking

Cameo '65 quarters without die polishing aren't particularly rare but most of those
with good contrast also have the polish. A few SMS quarters were struck on polished
planchets but most of these were struck on very polished and very substandard dies.
These were merely regular circulation dies which had been polished and the resultant
coins were very unattractive (and very shiny).

There are at least a few of the polished planchets struck by good dies for some of
the SMS coins. These are scarce enough to be difficult to get a feel for their scarcity.

SanctionII

Back in the saddle, getting ready for another day in the trenches. Checked replies to my thread again. Thanks to all who have replied to my post. I do not have a digital camera or scanner so unfortunately I can not post a pic of my best 65 SMS Cam. I am going to have to spring for a camera soon so that I can join the fun in posting pics.