I don't know the highest NGC/PCGS graded 1964 Kennedy, but I would imagine the ding at 12 o'clock, marks on the cheek and neck, as well as the diagonal nicks on the shield, would disqualify this coin as the highest graded of its type.
To me “the best Kennedy half” is the one with the most historical interest. That would be accented hair Proof when Jackie Kennedy got involved with the design of the coin. She thought that the design needed to adjusted, and it was.
It probably isn't his coin. Judging from his previous propensities for serious over-grading, I'm guessing that he thinks it is an MS70. Chris
Sms does not make it the best coin, if that's the case, the proof is better. lol. Sms is half way the best. just different points of view.
Guess you guys either aren't up on your reading or don't like to admit you've missed the point. Whether or not you like the OP's previous posts or even actively dislike Kennedy halves, the 1964 SMS is the rarest of all at 30 to 50 examples struck in total, probably illegally. The last 1964 SMS sold at auction, an SP67, went for $108,000 this April. I'm giving everyone the benefit of the doubt that they don't know the history. If the OP's coin pictured is the SP69, it certainly is the "best" Kennedy by rarity and value. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1964-50c-sms/6844
If the photo is genuine, then the example may be one of the most expensive Kennedys, but as afore mentioned, certain other 1964 proof Kennedys in high grade Ultra Cameo cond. may also be considered the best 1964s due to extremely low pops, much lower than the SP or so called SMS Kennedys.
The OP id not say anything about value or rarity. it opens the door to debate as when you say something is the "Best" that is a term that is strictly opinionated. hence you may have the best wife, but mine is better. its like talking about politics or religion, there is no evidence of whos correct or who is not. anyhow, im just being controversial. carry on.
Combining the two aforementioned criteria; DCAM and Accented Hair, highest auction price was less than 20k. Obviously, Kennedy collectors (those actually buying these coins), value these two characteristics a lot less, or they're more common and easily had. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1964-50c-accented-hair-dcam/96801
All good, and relatively true what you say about the subjectivity of "best". My problem was people immediately trashing the post and poster, all the while being pretty basically wrong. I agree with many things said, i.e. this is not the most beautiful kennedy in the world, obviously, does not have the eye appeal of $1000 MS63 toners and of course is not as striking as any DCAM proof, but if you possessed one of these coins, you would have more trading/financial clout than with 5 of the most beautiful, accented hair DCAMs in the world.
Okay, I'd rather have this 1964 JFK half dollar because I am more into the Cameo look. The SMS coin is a bit like the 1913 Liberty Nickel to me. If I had the 1913 nickel, I'd sell it and use the money to buy some "real coins" because I don't care for that coin. It was made under questionable circumstances. The SMS coins were made under some circumstances and got out of the mint somehow. I don't remember seeing them offered for sale in 1964 or 1965 or many years after that. It may have been one of the "under table deals." At any rate the coin does nothing for me. If I had one I'd sell for the money.
"The best" and the "Most valuable" are definitely not one of the same, as recently a 1958-D Franklin half sold for 129.000.00 or so, but is not considered by most Franklin collectors to be "The Best" Franklin.
Yep, these were kept illegally, never offered to the public, most sets stayed with a mint official, don't remember her name. I'd do the same as above, absolutely, and buy many desirable coins to my own eye and in series that interest me more. I'm just saying to prefer a 100$ DCAM, or even an 18,000$ one, to a coin that collectors are willing to pay 108,000$ for is pure folly. Which coin would I "marry" and stay with forever and ever, the 18,000 babe. Which would I probably end up sleeping with despite my better angels, the 100$ babe. But that's a different question. If I found this lousy SMS in my pocket, I could marry the girl I want and still have 90k left over for Morgan and seated proofs with both rarity and eye appeal to die for, and that I could never afford otherwise. That's best, even though the coin isn't.
Eva Adams, Director of the Mint. The coins were sold as part of her estate by Lester Merkin, and they were individual coins of various number, they were not packaged as "sets".
The OP tends to tell wild tales. As has been said, the 1964 Kennedy SMS is an extreme rarity. None of us has seen one. The estimates of 30-50 extant are likely correct? Best Kennedy Half? That is a subjective judgement. Certainly the most rare, but calling it “best” is nonsense. I am still waiting on the OPs verification from London of the Zerbe Morgan.