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Anyone know why PCGS changed the descriptor on SMS and Satin Finish coins to SP?

FullStepJeffsFullStepJeffs Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
So, I've noticed PCGS has changed the descriptor on special mint set coins from Mint State (which to me, they never were) to Specimen I guess, since the registry sets now list SP instead of MS for all of the possible coins in these catagories.

Anyone know why this was done?

I've always favored a "SMS" descriptor, i.e. SMS66DCAM, instead of MS66DCAM or SP66DCAM, since I thought most of these coins came from special mint sets.

Is this what the collective has decided? Maybe I missed the memo.

Just wondering if anyone knows why.

Thanks!

Steve

U.S. Air Force Security Forces Retired

In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.

Comments

  • FullStepJeffsFullStepJeffs Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭
    Wow... after almost 24 hours without a reply... hearing crickets. I guess the answer is nobody knows.

    Steve
    U.S. Air Force Security Forces Retired

    In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
  • frnklnlvrfrnklnlvr Posts: 2,750 ✭
    I didn't know this had been changed. I'm also curious as to what the reason was.
    FRANKLINLOVER.COM
    Franklin-Lover's Forum
  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,274 ✭✭✭
    I noticed the change too, when I saw how they listed the 1998-S Matte Kennedy in the Registry. As for why, maybe they finally caught up to NGC; they have used "SP" designation from the start.
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • itsnotjustmeitsnotjustme Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭
    Nope--don't know why but I also noticed the change. I think when you look your coins up, they also show the SP grade even though that is not what is on the holder. To me this can lead to confusion.... perhaps it should give what is on the holder as well as the new term.
    Give Blood (Red Bags) & Platelets (Yellow Bags)!
  • SilverstateSilverstate Posts: 1,537 ✭✭✭
    Seems like the change was a waste of time........
    Jim
    Gardnerville, NV
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    Our Website -->Innovation, Native & Presidential Dollar Errors, Lincoln Cents and more
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  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Now I see it on my 1965-67 SMS cameos in the Registry. I don't have a clue why they changed the nomenclature.
    I guess this means that the descriptors on the holders will change as well...

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • FullStepJeffsFullStepJeffs Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Now I see it on my 1965-67 SMS cameos in the Registry. I don't have a clue why they changed the nomenclature.
    I guess this means that the descriptors on the holders will change as well... >>



    And they have changed on the 94 and 97 SMS nickels, as well as all of the Satin Finish coins.

    I guess I need to ask Mr. Willis to comment on this...

    Steve
    U.S. Air Force Security Forces Retired

    In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,986 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Special Phinish?
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Alert!!!! We have a major mystery on our hands!! Best to call in Columbo.....image Cheers, RickO
  • stinkinlincolnstinkinlincoln Posts: 2,733 ✭
    Its the butler and he did it with a candlestick, In the dinning room...


  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,491 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow... after almost 24 hours without a reply... hearing crickets. I guess the answer is nobody knows.

    Steve >>



    Sorry, I've been away from my feeding tube..........

    I find this very curious especially since the slabs still state MS:

    image

    image

    I think this falls into the same lines as the "First Day of Mintage" entries in the Database:

    image

    Where According to PCGS's Web Page:

    3. U.S. Mint Official American Presidency $1 Coin Cover Series. These are First Day of Issue Covers sold by the U.S. Mint, each containing two coins (one from Philadelphia, one from Denver), both from the first day of production. The holder is stamped and postmarked on the official first day of issue (see below). Coins will be removed from the holder and graded separately. The original shipping boxes need not be sealed, but the covers must be submitted intact and unopened. A minimum of 50 covers may be submitted through the Bulk Submissions program. PCGS is currently developing an option for encapsulating the entire cover. PCGS does not offer a First Day of Mintage (or Production) option.

    BTW, despite efforts to bring this to PCGS's attention, all the Washington and Adams "First Day of Mintage" numbers still exist in the database so, it appears there's something screwy in St. Louie!
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,491 ✭✭✭✭
    BTW, do you think I would get into trouble by reporting the populations of coins which are not supposed to exist?

    First Day of Mintage that is.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Go for it Lee.... should be exciting. We need some from time to time.... image Cheers, RickO
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,491 ✭✭✭✭
    I sent another email off....................
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • FullStepJeffsFullStepJeffs Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭
    Well, I pm'ed Mr. Willis the other day, but he still has not commented on the change.

    Anybody else have unfettered access?

    Steve
    U.S. Air Force Security Forces Retired

    In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    It makes it easier when looking through registry sets or pop reports to tell the SF coins from BS coins. --Jerry
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,491 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I sent another email off.................... >>



    Hmmm. Now I'm thinking of a Beatles Song from the Beatles 65 Album. Anybody care to guess what it it?
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,491 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It makes it easier when looking through registry sets or pop reports to tell the SF coins from BS coins. --Jerry >>



    I guess the term "Satin Finish" wasn't clear enough??
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • GRANDAMGRANDAM Posts: 8,569 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Now I'm thinking of a Beatles Song from the Beatles 65 Album. Anybody care to guess what it it?

    "No Reply" is a song by the Beatles from the UK album Beatles for Sale and the US album Beatles '65. It was written mainly by John Lennon and credited to Lennon/McCartney.

    GrandAm image
    GrandAm :)
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was thinking more like "No Reply at All" by Genesis, but the Beatles will do nicely.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They used to ask the players about these kind of changes. New ERA now.
    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    ERA?

    Earned Run Average ?
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • YaHaYaHa Posts: 4,220 ✭
    SP= Specimen.. Basically it falls under a "SPecial Coin" label..image

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