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Specimen Coinage
cameonut2011
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What are the criteria for designating a 20th century coin as a specimen? I have the 1927 specimen nickels and New Rochelle commemorative half dollars is mind. Is it merely because the coins look "special?" How does one designate between a prooflike business strike and a specimen for e.g. the New Rochelle halves?
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Specimens are coins that are not struck for use in circulation but are not struck as proofs, often for presentation use. They often are prooflike or exceptionally well struck, and can be recognized by the die(s) used to create them.
Good post, ad I will be interested in reading informed responses. I assume that the 1921 Zerbe Morgan dollars fall into this category.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Does anyone know what coins would be required in a complete specimen set? I know the first would be the 1894 dollar. Then what?
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
It would be a fun and expensive project.
Here are some of them. I am not sure how complete it this. Most are unique
1792 silver center cent
1927 Buffalo nickel
1792 half dime
1794 half dime
1875-S dime
1875-S 20c
1796 half dollar
1838-O half dollar
1839-O half dollar
1794 dollar Morelan
1795 dollar
1844-O Liberty $10 Smithsonian
1854-S Liberty $20 Smithsonian
1856-O Liberty $20
1906-D Liberty $20
This would be a real challenge
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Wouldn't the 1804 Dollar be a specimen since it was minted solely as a presentation piece?
Later, Paul.
If PCGS is a competent organization, then no. They grade the 1804 as a proof.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
For example, the 1964 specimen strikes and the specimen New Rochelle halves all have die lines or marks that are recognizable and match one another. Often there is no record of specimens being struck and thus no original die basis, so the first example found can be the subject of much controversy. These first examples will be judged as specimens simply based on the fact that they have excessively sharp strikes and prooflike devices, and possibly other attributes like square rims that wouldn't be found on circulation strikes. Once further examples are found they may be confirmed against the first one by their dies.
The 1804 dollar has a little too much history to be classified as a specimen, but it really could have gone either way. There's not much reason why the 1804 dollar should be classified as a proof if the Zerbe coins are classified as specimens. In general many of these attributions just come down to general consensus, with Specimen being designated to more unofficial strikings with little historical evidence for their existence, and Proof being designated to more official and well-known strikings.
1875-S 20c
You had me at Nickel, had to look it up and found this, I learned something today, I have never heard of the 1927 SP's anyhow here is an image of one (not mine)
Steve
Steve
Steve, I think you have fell in love with coin. You need to look away!
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
"Specimen" has no accepted definition. In the 19th century US Mint it could mean anything from an ordinary coin sent to someone as an example or sample, to a full proof or master coin. For that period, the meaning can only be derived from context. (At your doctor's office "specimen" is a sample; same at the single malt tasting bar.)
Dealers, collectors and TPGs seem to call anything that is slightly different a "specimen" although the coin might be noting more than part of the normal range of appearance from normal dies. The 1964 "specimen" or "SMS" coins are part of that wishful-thinking fantasy.
1964 sms coins are also treated as specimen.