Okay, okay...just three more Kennedy Half DDO today...

10-4 then I should have stated that the addiction continues...

 

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I bought 4 of them at the peak of the interest about 15 years ago for $280 each. I sold 2 for $325 each. I'm still in the hole by today's prices if I wanted to sell them, but that won't happen.

Chris

 

I think he is referring to collecting Kennedy half dollars in general.

 

To tell the truth, I've been searching half dollar rolls since at least when I got out of the Navy in 2001...time enough to put together one hoard of sub-par coins, learn that they were sub-par coins, and then put together another hoard of pretty decent coins. I kind of feel like some people here act like I just started in 2015...ha ha

(by the way, no offense is meant or has been taken on - just wanted to get that said once)

 

You are assuming that PCGS is correct in their classification of the 1998-S silver “Matte” Kennedy. Until a few collectors complained to PCGS, PCGS had classified all of the 50th Anniversary Kennedy half dollars as Commemoratives and not part of the Kennedy series (so I will assume that PCGS isn’t always correct). PCGS doesn’t even consider the 1998-S “Matte” Kennedy as part of a basic collection and only has a slot for it when you get into the Variety Sets.

Now, NGC classifies and requires the 1998-S silver “Matte” in their basic Kennedy Proof Set.

The U.S. Mint doesn’t clarify one way or the other regarding if the 1998-S “Matte” Kennedy is a Proof or Uncirculated coin. All the “Certificate of Authenticity” that came with the two coin set says:

“Uncirculated Robert F. Kennedy Silver Dollar”

“Matte Finish John F. Kennedy Silver Half Dollar”

Is NGC or PCGS correct on which side of the Kennedy series (Proof or Uncirculated) that the 1998-S silver “Matte” should be located?

If NGC is correct, then the 1998-S “Matte” could be considered as the Type III with the 1998-S Clad Proof being Type I and the 1998-S Silver Proof being Type II. If PCGS is correct and the 1998-S “Matte” is uncirculated then it would be the only uncirculated 1998 bearing the “S” mint mark (regardless of metal content) so why does PCGS only have this coin listed in their Registry as a variety and not part of their “Basic Set(s)”?

Does the 1998-S “Matte Finish” silver Kennedy half dollar have enough of the characteristics in common with the “Matte Proof” coins that the US Mint produced in the early part of the twentieth century is the question that needs to be answered before a clarification of where the coin belongs can be determined. I believe that this issue could go either way but I believe the 1998-S “Matte” should be treated as a basic coin and not as a variety within the Registry Set(s).

 

I agree with everything you say. My only objection was to the earlier use of the term "matte proof" rather than matte finish.

Chris

 

It's a matte proof, just like the unc modern commems, as well as several other modern issues, designated SP - they are all double struck like proofs, often have wire rims and since laser etching, have more detail in the devices than regular proofs. Some even believe SP stands for Special Proof - believe your eyes, not what you're told.