Ebay item: Specimen coin - Jefferson 5C Hi - I need some advise before I place a bid on eBay item # 250007376873 I am a collector of Jeffersons and have never seen a coin listed as a "specimen". It's listed as: Graded By: NGC Method of Manufacture: Matte (Special Mint Strike) Certification: Certified Condition: Uncirculated Mint: Philadelphia Grade: Specimen Material: Clad (Cupro-Nickel) 167,703 Minted Numeric Grade: 69 Does anyone know anything about specemin coins? Are they worth adding to a collection? How would I locate a price for one? THANK YOU! Alicia
This is no " speciman " coin. This is just a MS69 matte finished full-step nickel. I saw several sell on Teletrade for around $85 , so this looks to be no bargain.
NGC designates these coins as SP instead of MS because they are different than the normal coins of that year and the Proofs as well. These matte finish nickels were sold in '94 & '97 Coin & Currency sets only - they could not be obtained otherwise. So techinically they can be called specimens. PCGS labels them as SMS - NGC labels them as SP.
Specimen coins - are they worth the pice? Thanks to those who replied - the seller sent a photo that shows the NGC slabbed Jefferson with a grade of SP69. Why are specimen coins made with a mintage of miore than one? Further, why would they be released by the mint if they are specimens and why are they graded? Are they worth adding to a collection? The mintage is approximately 167,000 for this coin. I'm posting this as a separate thread for those who may overlook my question under the previous Jefferson thread. Thank you again...I have learned so much from you all. Alicia
I'm considering buying an NGC slabbed 1994 Jefferson with a grade of SP69. Why are specimen coins made with a mintage of miore than one? Further, why would they be released by the mint if they are specimens and why are they graded? Are they worth adding to a collection? The mintage is approximately 167,000 for this coin. Thank you Alicia
The others are correct this is just a 1994 Matte finish nickel. NGC has called them differently over the years. I have one the actually says (Specimen MS-69 ) on the holder then I believe they designated them SP-69 and most recently their designation is SMS I believe. This price is high, should be able to get this easily for under $100.00 seen some go for $65 on ebay.
These are not 'Specimen' coins they are matte finish nickels specially made for the Jefferson Coin set that year and the matte finish nickels where only available in that set. Same thing they did in 1997 with the Botanical Gardens coin set. PCGS grades these with the designation SMS (Special Mint Set) with the numeric grade. You can try searching for these on ebay using 1994 matte finish or 1994 SMS I I find they listed several different ways.
The problem you are having is that you are applying your definition of the word specimen. But in this case that's not how the word is being used. Here's a couple definitions for the word - 1 - An individual, item, or part representative of a class, genus, or whole. 2 - an example regarded as typical of its class In this case they are using the second definition while you are thinking of the first - that's all. As I tried to explain previously - these coins are not business strikes or Proofs, they are special. The designations MS and PF are normally only used for business strikes and Proofs respectively. And these coins are neither - so they chose to use SP or SMS to signify the special class. Just that simple.
