SMS Kennedy Half Dollar 1964

Hello fellow coin peeps!

I just got a gorgeous 1964 Kennedy Half in the mail today and I was looking at the price guide at PCGS for a ballpark figure on value and they had two lines for the 1964 with one of them listed as a SMS and a vey high price for them and I was wondering what SMS meant?

Thanks,

Ryan

P.S. Are there other coins with SMS?

 

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SMS = Special Mint Set

The Mint did not produce any Proof Sets in 1965, 1966 or 1967 and instead produced SMSs. The SMS coins are a hybrid between business strike coins and Proof coins. The dies were polished (like Proof dies) but the planchets were not (like business strike coins). The coins were struck once (like business strike coins), not twice (like Proof coins).

The Mint produced Proof 1964 Kennedy Halves and apparently inadvertently produced a handful of 1964 SMS Kennedy Halves in 1965.

 

Hey Hobo, :hail:

Would they look "proof like" without the cameo look or the very high mirror look and how would you be able to tell the difference from a regular strike?

Ribbit

 

I'm looking at a 1966 SMS and the coins have somewhat of a mirror finish but certainly not cameo. I would say, if you know what to look for, you should be able to distinguish a SMS from a business strike.

 

Here's Ryan's Kennedy (seller's pics - Ryan will post photos next week) and he says the mark that looks like a fingerprint isn't noticeable in-hand:

 

Yeah, I do not know how the seller took the picture to make it look like the fingerprint looks so dark, but even at the brightest angle, in broad daylight, it would take a long time for someone to see it is even there. BTW, grade?

 

The 1964 SMS coins, which were made in each denomination, were not inadvertently made, but rather, were intentional and experimental in nature. And as opposed to the post-1964 SMS issues, they were not particularly flashy or prooflike in appearance. Thus, they are not nearly as easy to distinguish from regular business strikes as other dates are. I saw a number of them while a grader at NGC.

 

Looks like an ordinary Unc. '64 Half to me. But I am no expert.

 

I learn something every day.

Were the '64 SMS coins released to the public?

 

I'm not sure -sorry.

I think I might have read a comment from someone which indicated the coins were sold in mint packaging like subsequent issues were. However, unless someone has images and/or has seen that first hand, I'm highly skeptical. My guess is that because the pieces were experimental and produced in very small quantities, they weren't released to the public.

 

Does anyone have any pics of any 1964 SMS coins?

Phoenix

 

I believe you can find some in the Heritage auction archives.

 

Thanks man! I'll have to go look. :kewl:

Phoenix

 

Thanks for the link GD! Just wondering, are there any know die markers or such to look for, does anyone know? I know finding one is probably one in a million, but doesn't hurt to look. :kewl:

Phoenix

 

Probably, I just picked a number. Sounds about right though, thanks.

Phoenix

 

i THINK i JUST BOUGHT ONE OFF EBAY.... sERIOUSLY. I have been skepticle too but this coin has super square rimms like a proof, satiny finish unlike a proof and no way a cameo could develop here. Umm Very stong details that hit you, a fingerprint across the neck and head, etc... ummmm, I gotta get someone who knows...

 

All known 1964 SMS Kennedy Half Dollars have what looks like a teardrop below the crosslet of the 4. If your 1964 Kennedy has this diagnostic you may have fallen into some good luck.

 

Yes I do think I can see that with my loupe. I have a digital mic and a battery powered mic. on way upstairs to retrieve them. Should I take it out of celophane to veiw or not???? Jim