Good morning to all (you too paddy!) I have been trying to get a call or email back from PCGS for over a week now, and once again need some educated advice on my slab label. Graded in 2002 this 1967 40/60 SMS Kennedy was assigned the grade of MS 67CAM on the slab however the cert. ver. indicates SP 67CAM. Is this a mechanical error on their part or is this how they normally label and SMS? Anyone with insite please advise as I might have a birthday or 2 before my PCGS answer arrives. Thanks cert#21657962
CoinFacts lists SMS coins as SP. Most likely they just changed the way they graded these. SMS coins might no be proof, but they certainly aren’t business strikes. Not sure when SP started to be used but I’m guessing after this coin was slabbed.
It's not a mechanical error as PCGS didn't always use the "SP" designation. Up to a point they only used "MS" but then they decided to switch over (likely due to the rise in "specimen" coins like the 2005-2010 Mint sets and the various burnished silver, gold, and platinum coins starting in 2006). NGC also switched over to using SP (although they continue to use MS for the SMS coins-with a notation of SMS on the holder). Here is a similar question from the PCGS forum: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/920576/1967-kennedy-sms-proof-questions-ms-vs-sp
