What the far is a Specimen?

slabfab

Auction Link

ms70

The Jefferson Nickel of the Coin & Currency Sets of 1994 & 1997 had matte finishes. They are not proofs, but not your regular MS versions
either. I guess NGC designates them as specimens. PCGS just puts "SMS" for Special Matte Surface.

Russ

NGC also designates the 1998 matte finish Kennedy as SP, as well as the 1964 SMS coins.

Russ, NCNE

DNADave

<< <i>The Jefferson Nickel of the Coin & Currency Sets of 1994 & 1997 had matte finishes. They are not proofs, but not your regular MS versions
either. I guess NGC designates them as specimens. PCGS just puts "SMS" for Special Matte Surface.

>>



I thought it meant 'special mint set'

ms70

<< <i>I thought it meant 'special mint set' >>



Only for the special mint set coins of the 1960's as I understand it.

DNADave

<< <i>

<< <i>I thought it meant 'special mint set' >>



Only for the special mint set coins of the 1960's as I understand it. >>



Then PCGS chose poorly IMO when deciding to use SMS for two different things

XpipedreamR

DH seems to think of them as the same "SMS"

Russ

DH is wrong.

Russ, NCNE

ms70

It seems I may stand corrected but I'm not sure. I've never heard of the "SMS" designation for the '94 & '97 coins standing for anything
other than "Special Matte Surface" but I just found this on the PCGS website:



<< <i>Special Mint Set Strike: Because of the coin shortage, the Mint did not produce proof coins from 1965 to 1967. In the place of proof coinage the Mint struck "Special Mint Set" coins. These coins were struck once on regular blanks (planchets) using polished dies. The coins have prooflike surfaces and some of them are very near proof quality. In 1994, matte surface Jefferson nickels were struck from specially prepared dies and blanks. These nickels were issued as part of the 160,000 "Thomas Jefferson Coin and Currency Sets". >>



Link

This is the first time I've heard this particular reference applied to the coins of the 1990's.

ms70

Hey- It's Tuesday! I'll just post it in the Q&A Forum for DH's final word.

Russ

MS70,

DH and PCGS do call them "Special Mint Set" coins, but they're still wrong in doing so. The only real Special Mint Sets are 1965 to 1967 and, some would argue, 1964. I think NGC is closer to correct calling the modern matte finish coins Specimens, although even that doesn't quite fit.

Russ, NCNE

ms70

<< <i>The only real Special Mint Sets are 1965 to 1967 and, some would argue, 1964. >>



That's what I always thought. Maybe the '94 & '97 Jeffersons should have been called Matte Proofs.

slabfab

<< <i>I think NGC is closer to correct calling the modern matte finish coins Specimens, although even that doesn't quite fit.

Russ, NCNE >>



I agree. From Merriam-Webster online: Specimen - an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole.
Misnomer fer sure!

ms70

Here's the official answer!

Q&A Thread 1

Q&A Thread 2

Question 1



<< <i>Hi David,

The term "SMS"- Does this have two different meanings? I am under the impression that it means "Special Mint Set" only for the sets of
the 1960's but it means "Special Matte Surface" for the 1994 & 1997 Jefferson Nickels of the Coin & Currency Sets. Please clear this up for
us as to whether it has two meanings or always means "Special Mint Set" under all circumstances.

Thanks!!!! >>



The answer:



<< <i>Both meanings are correct.

Thanks,

David >>




Question 2



<< <i>There is some question as to the meaning of the term "SMS," particularly in reference to a 1997 SMS nickel in this thread.

Specifically, does the term mean "special mint set," or "special matte surfaces?"




Thank you very much! >>



The answer:



<< <i>Both meanings are correct. It really just designates coins that are significantly different from others of the year.

Thanks,

David >>

XpipedreamR

Drat!