1965/66/67 Dimes - Is It Easy to Differentiate SMS from Regular Strikes?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by kanga, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    I have an UNC dime from each of the three years that the SMS strikes were done.
    I think(?) that each came from an SMS set but can't remember for sure.
    Can they easily be distinguished from the later business strikes?
    Or does it even matter value-wise?

    The Red Book doesn't seem to be any help.
     
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  3. I also find it difficult to distinguish between SMS and business strike for those years, as they are not mirror-like like proofs and their luster seems similar. Comparing them closely under a scope, it does seem that the surfaces of the SMS coins are slightly smoother than business strike coins of the same years. :)
     
    capthank likes this.
  4. bradgator2

    bradgator2 Well-Known Member

    You can find them in high mirror-like, pure black and white, prooflike cameos. They are all affordable in high grade actually, except for the pennies. I have a complete set (minus the pennies) and man are they wonderful to look at.
     
  5. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    Interesting question. I'm not a dime collector, but would like to know if there is a way to tell the difference.
     
  6. Kevin Mader

    Kevin Mader Fellow Coin Enthusiast Supporter

    Can you post some pictures here? It might help your fellow enthusiasts.

    I have found circulated SMS nickels and they seem to be in between a business strike and proof strike luster. But the nickels I have found had spots/problems, so not great points of reference. I assume dimes might follow a similar appearance.
     
  7. dimeguy

    dimeguy Dime Enthusiast

    I will second the mirrored surface for the fields. That is the only way I can really distinguish them. The problem comes when you have a high grade business strike. I will see if I can post a pic or two once I get home tonight.
     
    Kevin Mader likes this.
  8. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    Yes! Buy the full set in the OGP and never remove them.
     
    jamor1960 likes this.
  9. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    Yes, there are ways, pictures please. Thank you.
     
  10. bradgator2

    bradgator2 Well-Known Member

    I can take more tonight. I happened to have this one on my phone. “NGC SMS MS68 Cameo”

    2E5CB0F0-89BC-43DC-8D74-F979D861E32C.jpeg
     
  11. markr

    markr Active Member

    If they are not cameo and if they are in PCGS plastic as high-grade business strikes, they are worth a lot more than similar high-grade SMS coins. I'll own up to recently paying right at $600 for a 1965 MS67FB dime. A 1966 SP67 dime goes for about $20 on eBay. So I guess the moral here is that unless they are cameo, hope your dimes are business strikes.

    Mark
     
  12. bradgator2

    bradgator2 Well-Known Member

    I know it’s a not a dime. But this is my favorite SMS, graded SP67CAM by PCGS. It is as mirrored as a full proof:
    38FAFC0D-BDA6-44EF-8C6A-4E6A77485B56.jpeg 5A9D8D20-535E-4354-90B3-6EA5A93169C4.jpeg
     
    john65999, Razz and Kevin Mader like this.
  13. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    A high end SMS is easy to determine, a low end or typical MS coin is eaasy to determine. Telling a high end MS from a lower end SMS....good luck.
     
    Kevin Mader likes this.
  14. Martha Lynn

    Martha Lynn Well-Known Member

    Not sure about the SMS or proofs. But the business strikes had no mint marks for those years. If the SMS and proofs have mm, then their is your answer. Ooops. Those above examples kind of shoots that theory down huh ?
     
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