I know this sounds like a crazy question, but I've been trying to determine this for a while and can't seem to get a solid answer. Long story short I purchased a 400 coin lot from someone which contained all coins that were pulled from mint sets and put in 2x2s (less than 60 in that shape) and the rest are in the mint cello or the blister pack. Funny thing is I spent $100 on the lot, but because of the face value of half of the coins them self, my net cost was only around $25 bucks. Can't beat that...and before anyone says I robbed anyone...this was a buy it now type sale on the inter webs. I digress... My real question is this...I've been putting off purchasing the Cherry Picker guides and have placed them on my x-mas list this year for my wife or kids to get me. I'm trying to figure out if any of these coins in his lot of 400 will include any of the varieties or if mints sets even contain the errors and varieties in them. If they do I might pull the trigger now and buy the guides now (which prompts another question, anyone know of any place where I can get the latest editions in hardback new or like new for less than $58 apiece...which includes shipping?) I've seen the subject touched sever times in pas conversations in the form of "...I don't think a mint set would include this variety..." etc... Does anyone know if there is a chance that Mint Sets and SMSs actually contain errors and varieties, or are they too QA'd to allow errors and varieties? Is it worth my time even looking through them for errors and varieties?
There are varieties listed for SMS coins from 1965-1967, but you didn't mention which years were applicable. FWIW, there are people who refer to the Satin Mint Sets as "SMS" so you need to be more specific. Chris
Yes, there are. Too many to list, really... If you have any interest in variety hunting, the CPG should be your next purchase. In the meantime, a good place to start (for free) would be: CONECA Master Listings Wexler's Die Varieties Gotta love Mint/Proof sets in bulk for just over face value. I'm a buyer on that stuff all...day...long...every...day.
The Cherrypicker's books, while fine references, are simply not what some seem to think; in essence, they're nothing more than rather vague and basic listings of more popular and/or valuable varieties. Definitive variety references they are not and come nowhere even close, so if this is what you're looking/hoping for, you will be disappointed; in truth, there often is better and more detailed information available online, and even with a little searching, FS numbers can be attributed without the CPG books. As for your general question, yes.... there are many varieties in SMS (by which I assume you mean 1965-67) sets, most of which will not be listed in the CPGs. It is also worth noting that most genuine varieties carry very little to modest premiums at best, so if potential profit is your goal, those with FS numbers are probably your best bet and are often the easiest to identify (as they are usually the more significant). The gentleman above provided two fine links to start with, but again, the path you take very much depends on your desires (the enjoyment/collecting of varieties, or simple profit). If varieties are not of great interest to you, and the $58 per book (which seems awful high) is more than you'd like to spend, a lower cost alternative to buying the most recent Cherrypicker's books would be to pick up used and/or past editions. Off the top of my head I cannot recall if one or both volumes have recently been updated (I know one has), but even before this, with a little searching (amazon, bookfinder, etc) "used" copies can sometimes be found for a fraction of the new price, and while some listings do change or have been added, generally speaking the overall book will be much the same.
There are lots of varieties in mint sets but not nearly as many as what appears in circulation. Some varieties appear in both mint sets and in rolls. Mint set varieties tend to be fairly common because very few roll coins were ever saved and if even one in a hundred mint sets contain a variety it will usually be more common than even multimillion mintages in circulation. ...Go figure.
As usual, I left people more confused than I intended. I shouldn't have used SMS, for some reason I tend to use SMS along with mint sets and I know they are different. So to clarify, I am only talking about Mint Sets post 1967. The earliest I have so far is 1970. So Mints sets only is what I have. @BooksB4Coins - the $58 price was for both books shipped to my door brand new..not per book. I have Amazon prime, so shipping is free, the books are listed new for $29 apiece. Thanks to all who have replied so far, and still welcome any more input or information.
Thank you for clarifying; when you said "$58 apiece" I took this as being the price per edition, which as mentioned seemed to be awfully high. Even at $29 a pop though, money could possibly be saved by choosing one of the earlier-mentioned options, but this, of course, very much would depend on your needs/wants. As for the SMS vs. Mint Sets issue, everything said in my earlier post still stands; there are many known/genuine varieties that will not be found in the CPG, so if you wish to hunt for different varieties as a collector, there are likely better (albeit more costly) reference book options, but if you just want something that just lists the more significant and/or valuable varieties, the CPG books may be just what you're looking for.
