How does one tell the difference between a business-strike and "SMS" 1965 - 1967 Kennedy H

apollo14

How does one tell the difference between a gem business-strike and "SMS" 1965 - 1967 Kennedy Halves?

Thanks!

LanceNewmanOCC

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if i were you i'd start with the archives here. this subject has been approached numerous times and is one heck of a mountain to summit.
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WoodenJefferson

Some of the first run business stuck coins resemble the later die state SMS runs, they are extremely difficult to discern on their own. If you were to take a random sample of BU business and put 1 SMS coin in the laid out bunch, the wheel luster of the BU vs the SMS fields should be apparent.

Note: There is no mistaking a SMS that has proof qualities, ie; semi-mirrored fields and cameo contrast on the lettering and devices.

Also...the 65's are so-so, the 66's a little better quality, the 67's exhibit the best quality as the Mint refined the process.

Lots to study here before you can just pick one up and say positively it's a SMS Kennedy half.

(I'm still looking for any 1964's in any denomination)

apollo14

... many thanks, Guys!

emzee

My answer to the question posed in the title is: "You cannot reliably tell a business strike from an SMS coin" --- the operative word being "reliably"

It is sometimes obvious that a particular coin is an SMS coin, e.g., if it is a flawless DCAM prooflike it is SMS. Or perhaps the coin is sitting in untampered SMS packaging.

It is sometimes obvious that a particular coin is a business strike, e.g., if it has orange peel surfaces having been struck from worn, end stage dies.

The problem is distinguishing a coin that was, say the 15,000th struck from a pair of specially-prepared SMS dies --- from a sharp business strike coin, say the 5000th coin from a well-prepared, well-centered pair of dies. IMO, No one can reliably tell the difference in this case.

Michael

leothelyon

<< <i>My answer to the question posed in the title is: "You cannot reliably tell a business strike from an SMS coin" --- the operative word being "reliably"

It is sometimes obvious that a particular coin is an SMS coin, e.g., if it is a flawless DCAM prooflike it is SMS. Or perhaps the coin is sitting in untampered SMS packaging.

It is sometimes obvious that a particular coin is a business strike, e.g., if it has orange peel surfaces having been struck from worn, end stage dies.

The problem is distinguishing a coin that was, say the 15,000th struck from a pair of specially-prepared SMS dies --- from a sharp business strike coin, say the 5000th coin from a well-prepared, well-centered pair of dies. IMO, No one can reliably tell the difference in this case.

Michael >>



Excellent answer!

Personally, I would not expect a business strike to have prooflike fields or frosted devices and vice versus, a proof coin to have dull fields. Check my collection for a prooflike-frosted 1964-D, without the D mint mark, it would be difficult to say it's a business strike.
With the SMS and business strikes of 1965 - 1967, it has always been assumed that the business strikes were struck from used-possibly chemical treated SMS dies. Of course, with the Jefferson nickels and the improvements they made to the 1967 SMS dies, the dauntless question still remains as to why we ended up with stepless 1967 business strikes-but that's another story.
Same holds true for the satin finish coins of 2005 - 2010, the business strikes are a product of used satin finish dies. One of these days I plan to buy all my SF coins in one swoop at mint set piece prices. No.......this one cat will not waste hundreds fpr certified examples when they all come pretty nice in mint sets. Had to throw this out there to the unwary onlookers.

Caleb

<< <i>How does one tell the difference between a gem business-strike and "SMS" 1965 - 1967 Kennedy Halves?

Thanks! >>



When you find out the answer, please let the graders at PCGS know the outcome.

I doubt that this coin is a business strike (non SMS) coin and I have a 1967 DDO-001 that PCGS has graded recently SP58 SMS.