Thanks Lee. I am aware that the circulation/business strikes are manufactured in a completely different manner. With that being said, is there any difference between the UNC silver IKEs vs. the UNC clad Ikes? Obviously, more care was taken with the silver ikes, but were they struck any differently. For example number of strikes or pressure of the strike? In the Wexler IKE book, James Sego refers to all the UNC Ikes both clad and silver as Mint State coins but there is no discernment between what they consider business/circulation strike or not. My definition of business strike or circulation strike is a coin that was intended for circulation which the silver IKEs were not. I just haven't had the time to browse through my IKE books this week to find the answer. I also thought it would be fun to hear what the group had to say. Obviously there appears to be an almost even split in opinions.
From the original ordering form, the implication is that the "circulation quality coins" have a single strike whereas the "proof quality coins" get struck at least twice.
As far as I know, the uncirculated silver IKE's only received a single strike AND since the copper nickel clad planchets were much harder than the 40% Silver/Copper coins, a similar striking pressure "could" have been used with dramatically different results. As a side note, the 1971-S Silver Uncirculated coins were loaded into bags for shipment to the packagers while 1972-S and later 40% Silver Coins were loaded into tubes. This accounts for the beat up look that most 71-S Coins have over the other years. Additionally, a higher relief die was used for the 40% Silver coins from 1972 - 1976. The distinction you are attempting to make is the same difference between calling a coin "uncirculated" when its pulled from a cash drawer in that the term "uncirculated" implies "where" the coin has been and not how it was manufactured. I'm of the opinion that PCGS takes the stance that if the US Mint refers to the coins as Uncirculated, then they belong in the circulation sets.
Exactly. I am also of the belief that the mint markets the term "uncirculated" in regards to describing silver Ikes as circulation/business strikes that haven't been circulated. Not specially struck coins that are not meant for circulation.
I have been working on a 20th century circulation set and have posted my thoughts on it in a separate post (1224 US coins in the 20th century circulation set). Although I've got all the Ike's, I do not consider any of the 40% silver Ike's as part of the circulation set. That would include the 1971-S (MS and PF), 1972-S (MS and PF), 1973-S (MS and PF), 1974-S (MS and PF), and 1976-S (MS and PF). Not that it pertains to this post, I also do not consider the clad proof Ike's from 1977 and 1978 as part of the 20th century circulation coins either.
To me, the silvers were never intended to be anything other than sold to collectors, so calling them circulation strikes is misleading. Having said that, I'm not sure what I would consider them, SMS?
Not going to say anyone is wrong, but it's difficult to dispute that the US Mint describing them as uncirculated means they consider them in the circulation strike class. What greater authority is there than the US Mint (who also happens to be the maker of these coins)??? Now you can choose to set your own criteria for what is circulation strike or non-circulation strike, but when the general process is the same as circulation strike, I personally consider it circulation strike. Yea maybe the pressure is a little different and what not, but the difference is offset by the difference in metal hardness - which is the purpose behind different pressure to begin with. As for the handling... I consider it just that, handling. So long as nothing is being applied to the coin itself I don't view it as having anything to do with the strike or the minting process. The handling may have been more cautious, but as previously stated, they were to be sold to collectors. I also don't consider the intended buyers of the coins as having an affect on the actual strike type.
nothing ventured nothing have. dont be the great mind held back by the mediocre minds. just go for it and let us know the results.
What does this have to do with anything? The OP was asking for everyone's opinion on whether silver Ike's should be included in PCGS circulation registry sets. Nobody is saying or suggesting that OP should not build his set as he pleases. Even if they were, what does that have to do with being held back by mediocre minds? He's not creating something revolutionary. It's just a simple coin set. Oh the drama!
No wonder people are saying you are not doing revolutionary stuff. Time to go to your second passion :d
I know that. Spock, Joe and I go way back. After all these years, I see nothing has changed with you bud.
"Whether silver Ikes should be included in PCGS circulation registry sets..." Perhaps it's because of the fact that all US Dollar coins made for circulation were always struck in silver, so striking them in silver wasn't "special"? But then there's those "special polished dies", huh?