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Were SMS sets produced in 1964. Maybe someone can settle the discussion in the ebay forum. I say n
DNADave
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Russ, NCNE
1964 SMS
<< <i>Yes, they were.
Russ, NCNE >>
They were Russ??? Don't mistake my question, i know you the premier expert on this subject, i also did not know that!!!
65 planchets punched with 64 dies.
<< <i>65 planchets punched with 64 dies. >>
Actually, no. The 1964 SMS coins are distinctly different than the 1965 through 1967 coins. More of a satiny matte finish combination. There is a lot of speculation as to how they came about, ranging from test run for the upcoming SMS sets to presentation pieces for VIPs. Estimates range from a low of 10 to a high of 50 sets, with - as Carl said - the likely number being around a couple dozen.
BTW, the single 1964 business strike in MS68 listed in the PCGS pop reports is one of these that was mislabled and is now in an NGC SP69 holder.
Russ, NCNE
I believe that many of them were owned by dealer Lester Merkin (a true gentleman and good guy, old-time dealer) at one time and that they were subsequently auctioned off by Stacks' years ago. If memory serves me correctly, I think I was told that they were not described as anything different/special at the time they were auctioned.
Many have since been certified.
As noted by Russ, their appearance is distinct from other years' SMS coins. And, they can be extremely difficult to attribute if you are unfamiliar with them. If I had to guess, I would estimate that roughly 20 sets were produced.
Kind of sad that the origin of these coins has been lost to history.
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
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