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Look at Heritage's auction archives for pictures of CAM and DCAM SMS coins. A lot of the pictures do not show good contrast (poor picture), but mixed in are some nice coins that show nice contrast.
Jim Hodgson
Collector of US Small Size currency, Atlanta FRNs, and Georgia nationals since 1977. Researcher of small size US type - seeking serial number data for all FRN star notes, Series 1928 to 1934-D. Life member SPMC.
<< <i>Look at Heritage's auction archives for pictures of CAM and DCAM SMS coins. A lot of the pictures do not show good contrast (poor picture), but mixed in are some nice coins that show nice contrast. >>
That might say somethning about how liberally the CAM and DCAM attributions have been applied or how consistent Heritage's photography is and has been or both.
<< <i>That might say somethning about how liberally the CAM and DCAM attributions have been applied or how consistent Heritage's photography is and has been or both. >>
It's mostly Heritage photography. For a while, none of their images showed contrast. They all looked like this:
I always enjoy posts and pics about the 64-67 SMS coins.
If you spend time looking through these sets at shows and shops, you will be amazed at the wide variety of "looks" these coins have.
Some are ugly and beat up. Some look like DCAM proofs. Between these two extremes are large numbers of coins that have many different types of appearances.
I have hunted these coins for over 7 years now and have found some to drop dead gorgeous coins. Putting together a 65-67 set of 15 raw coins with each coin having proof like mirrors and frosted devices is challenging and fun. On top of that it is not incredibly expensive given the low prices of these sets. These sets are fertile ground for cherrypickers (which include many forumites).
On top of the CAM/DCAM coins, you can also find examples that have hammered strikes, satin finishes and few marks. You can also find varieties (many are listed in the current Cherrypickers books and books on Lincolns, Jeffersons, Roosies, Washies and Hairyhead coins).
I stopped by a shop one day and looked at SMS sets. I found two 66 sets that have CAM Kennedys in them. I bought them due to the CAM halves. When I took a closer look, both halves (in addition to being CAM) have double die obverses. I also picked up a 67 set at a Santa Clara show a few years ago and it has the finest SMS quarter I have ever seen in it. Deep, waterly prooflike mirrors on both sides and the heaviest frost on both sides I have ever seen on an SMS coin (including the frost on slabbed 67 DCAM halves). I also picked up 4 65 sets from a shop that have die clashed dimes.
Again, SMS coins are extremely interesting and a great place to look for cherries.
Russ, nice comparison on picture quality for the 1967 half. I try to use the Heritage pictures as a reference when it comes to determining if I have a CAM or DCAM coin, but a lot of the pictures are nearly worthless in that regard.
Jim Hodgson
Collector of US Small Size currency, Atlanta FRNs, and Georgia nationals since 1977. Researcher of small size US type - seeking serial number data for all FRN star notes, Series 1928 to 1934-D. Life member SPMC.
I always thought it was Special Mint Set but lately I have seen a lot of people saying thier coins are SMS and they are not 65's, 66's or 67's. So I was beginning to think I had it wrong. Glad to see I wasn't wrong!
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
"Live long and prosper"
My "How I Started" columns
<< <i>I think collecting SMS coins would be a great set for a YN to work on for a bunch of reasons. >>
That they are, and if you work hard at it primo examples can still be cherried for cheap.
Russ, NCNE
Collector of US Small Size currency, Atlanta FRNs, and Georgia nationals since 1977. Researcher of small size US type - seeking serial number data for all FRN star notes, Series 1928 to 1934-D. Life member SPMC.
<< <i>Look at Heritage's auction archives for pictures of CAM and DCAM SMS coins. A lot of the pictures do not show good contrast (poor picture), but mixed in are some nice coins that show nice contrast. >>
That might say somethning about how liberally the CAM and DCAM attributions have been applied or how consistent Heritage's photography is and has been or both.
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<< <i>That might say somethning about how liberally the CAM and DCAM attributions have been applied or how consistent Heritage's photography is and has been or both. >>
It's mostly Heritage photography. For a while, none of their images showed contrast. They all looked like this:
This is the coin when it sold on eBay:
Russ, NCNE
If you spend time looking through these sets at shows and shops, you will be amazed at the wide variety of "looks" these coins have.
Some are ugly and beat up. Some look like DCAM proofs. Between these two extremes are large numbers of coins that have many different types of appearances.
I have hunted these coins for over 7 years now and have found some to drop dead gorgeous coins. Putting together a 65-67 set of 15 raw coins with each coin having proof like mirrors and frosted devices is challenging and fun. On top of that it is not incredibly expensive given the low prices of these sets. These sets are fertile ground for cherrypickers (which include many forumites).
On top of the CAM/DCAM coins, you can also find examples that have hammered strikes, satin finishes and few marks. You can also find varieties (many are listed in the current Cherrypickers books and books on Lincolns, Jeffersons, Roosies, Washies and Hairyhead coins).
I stopped by a shop one day and looked at SMS sets. I found two 66 sets that have CAM Kennedys in them. I bought them due to the CAM halves. When I took a closer look, both halves (in addition to being CAM) have double die obverses. I also picked up a 67 set at a Santa Clara show a few years ago and it has the finest SMS quarter I have ever seen in it. Deep, waterly prooflike mirrors on both sides and the heaviest frost on both sides I have ever seen on an SMS coin (including the frost on slabbed 67 DCAM halves). I also picked up 4 65 sets from a shop that have die clashed dimes.
Again, SMS coins are extremely interesting and a great place to look for cherries.
Collector of US Small Size currency, Atlanta FRNs, and Georgia nationals since 1977. Researcher of small size US type - seeking serial number data for all FRN star notes, Series 1928 to 1934-D. Life member SPMC.