I received an item today that I won on eBay and the seller through in a 1965 Rosie packaged in cellophane. So, I figure it came from a special mint set, so it is the closest thing you can get to a 1965 proof dime. My problem became what to do with it. It's not that special of a coin and I already have a 1965 SMS. But, it's a shame to tear it out of it's cellophane. Is this the only way to prove that this dime is a "Proof" dime? The fact that it is in cellophane?
The coin is not a Proof as there were no Proofs in 1965. Nor would the coin being in the pliofilm prove it an SMS coin either as the Mint Sets for the year came in the same type packaging. So in a nutshell you have nothing to lose by taking it out of that packaging if you wish.
There are many coins that were placed in those pliofilm 'packaging' post mint. There is one coin dealer, Littleton in particular, who package the coins that way.
There were no mint sets or proof sets in 1965, just the SMS sets and they were packed in the pliofilm.
With 1965 quarters, it's pretty easy to differentiate a business strike from an SMS. However, I think the first run of 65 SMS coins, which was the minority run, resembled more closely the business strikes. Somebody correct me if I am wrong on this. The TPG's are also far more likely to erroneously calling a non-SMS an SMS anyway, just another reason to listen to GDJMSP and not worry about it IMO.
Not really Jesse. Often even the experts can't tell one from the other. There have been several examples slabbed as SMS and then later determined not to be SMS. And vice-versa. The exception to this would be the cameo issues.
"Not really Jesse. Often even the experts can't tell one from the other." I'm certainly no "expert" but I'd like to be tried on this as I am...well... respectfully skeptical of this statement. I'm not saying with 100% accuracy, but easily 90%. This leads me to ask if the following, which I posted earlier, is indeed factuaL "However, I think the first run of 65 SMS coins, which was the minority run, resembled more closely the business strikes. Somebody correct me if I am wrong on this." If this is the case, than I can see the difficulty with identifying the minority coins and the reason why I've been able to identify the majority (vs. business strikes) so easily. "There have been several examples slabbed as SMS and then later determined not to be SMS. And vice-versa." I suggested that the majority of mix-ups have occured with TPG's calling non-SMS coins SMS coins. I believe I am correct.
I can only report to you what has actually happened and been written about either in forums and/or the numismatic press. Even the professional graders readily admit that they often cannot tell the difference between the SMS coins and business strikes. As for what you are calling minority coins - I have no idea what you are even talking about.
Minority Coins: Early strikes that had similar characteristics to 1964 SMS coins, which PCGS characterizes as being easily distinguishable from normal business strikes. The later strikes more closely resembled the very easily identifiable 66 and 67 issues. I swear that I read Bowers or somebody stating that there were two different.... Ohhhh wait...Here's a similar comment... http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=9469
And thanks for your responses as I consider you an expert. I realize you have handled thousands of these sets.
Well, fwiw, which isn't much. I pulled out my '65 SMS set to compare it with the one I was given. The packaging is the exact same. I can overlay the dime I was given over the SMS packaging and there is a perfect match with the size of the display area and the texture of the seal and it's area. No difference in the appearance of the dimes themselves. I don't know how common that SMS packaging would be. Much ado about nothing, but I guess it still being in the pliofilm says that it's definitely uncirculated? ;o)
Stroligep, The packaging is relatively common. There were alot of SMS sets distributed by the mint. You have 2 SMS coins that look the same, correct? Find a non-SMS dime and see if you can notice a difference. That's what I'm basically rambling on about. I'm saying that more often than not, you can. You can take that coin out of the packaging and it still looks very similar to the one in your SMS set. Compare it to a non-SMS and I think you might realize, it looks a little different.
Boy, Wash, you're talking to a rank amateur. I did take a good condition circulated 65 dime to compare to the other two, the circulated coin is closer in finish to the "free" dime that I have. The coin in the SMS pack does have a slightly different sheen from the other two, to my eyes anyway. I wouldn't even have noticed this if it wasn't for comparing the third dime. The difference is so slight though, that I'd say it was imaginary if I didn't keep seeing it every time I looked.
Jesse - The problem with distinguishing an SMS coin from a business strike coin arises when a nice business strike, or a not so nice SMS is involved. Sure, there are some business strikes where it looks easy. And some SMS where it looks easy. But when you have an EDS (early die state) or business strike, or a LDS (late die state) SMS - then all bets are off because you can't tell one from the other for sure. The problem can even arise when comparing medium die states of either one.
