Questions on Jefferson Nickels Coins and a few sets from the mint...

A few months ago I started building a set of Jefferson Nickels in PCGS-PF69 (if avalible)...

In looking at my Registry set (or lack of) I saw several coins with abbrevieations after them that I wasn't sure what the difference is in them and the other coin of the same series/year was

EX:

1965
1966
1967

If I remember right they did not make a Proof Set or a Mint set, they called it a Special Mint Set or SMS.... So, I get what it stands for, but my question is

What is the finish of that coin Vs Proof or Business Strike and What Mints are they??? Looks like only one of each (Cent, Nickel, Dime, Quarter and HD) coin...

Next question is on

1979 Type 1
1979 Type 2

1981 Type 1
1981 Type 2

Whats the Difference in a Type 1 and Type 2???

In some other coins (SBAs I think) it was Rim thickness, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering that right...


Then last question


In two years they had a ""SpECIMEN" Coin...
1994-P
1994-D
1994-S
1994-P SPECIMEN

1997-P
1997-D
1997-S
1997-P SPECIMEN

They still made a P,D,and S with the addition of the "SPECIMEN"...

The only info I could find was a copy of "COINValues" magazine, in their price guide it lists a

1994-P
1994-D
1994-S
1994-P Matte

1997-P Matte


I've read about the Matte finish (and its difference with satin) on this forum, but I've never seen one... Is the Matte what makes it a Specimen???

I've not found a Specimen listed anywere under that name....



I plan on buying a book on Nickels since I've started building the set and have now had a few questions...

 

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Nickel Proof Coins are wonderful, and beautiful to look at. I heartilly recommend that if you do put a set together stick to Deep Cameo coins. They are a bit pricier, but will hold their value, and are the most desirable.

There were no mints identified, at the time 65-67 there was a national coin shortage, I believe that is what they called it , anyway the mint director ordered an end to proof sets, and also a stoppage of mint stamps due to "collectors being the cause of the nationwide coin shortage". No coins made during this time frame could be identified as coming from any particular mint. The special mint sets were sort of an appeasement to collectors. Generally SMS coins can be characterized as anything from a satiny finish to a proof like finish, in addition can be found in both cameo and deep cameo. For the most part though, these SMS sets are generally inferior to previous and future proof issues, and generally come across as a slightly better than business strike.

The 1979 Type 1 looks very much like a typesetters blocky "S" looking at it, you will see a rather crude , barely distinguishable from a square block with a squiggle on it. The 79 Type 2 and 81 Type 1 are the same, much more pronounced "S" but still a raised background. The 81 Type 2 has been described as a Clear "S" and looks exactly like that.. a very clear "S" with no raised background. The 81 Type 2 is what you will see as the standard for all future proof coins.

Both years these were very special nickels made for inclusion in two commemorative sets. The 1994 had a special matte finish and was included in the 1994 Jefferson Commemorative Set. These are beautiful nickels, unfortunately on 167,703 were made, and prices generally around $70 each. The 1997 was similar and was included with the 1997 Botanic Garden Commemorative Set. There were only 25,000 of these made, quite beautiful.. and generally you'll see a $300 price tag to go with them. But they are the epitomy of "model nickeldom" , and I look at my 94 and 97 more than any other of my coins. You have to see one, next to another non sms nicket to appreciate them.

 

Wow, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions in so much detail...

Now I want examples of each of those mentioned more to be able to closly look at the differences in each tha to just say I completed a set or added coins too it...

Thanks again...

 

Here's a bit about the 1981 types. If it seems hard to read, click on it.
Hope it helps.

Here's the link http://members.aol.com/ararc/81Smm.jpg

 

Nice article, thanks for posting that...

I'm gonna have to join the ANA, so I can get a subscription to Numismatist...

 

So, if I am reading it correctly, there is a distinct difference in the 1994 and 1997 special unc. Nickels. A difference which is noticeable.

I am not a real Jefferson collector, but I do try to get modern low mintage coins. I think these will be the keys in the future.

25,000 is a very low mintage for a modern Jeff. Nickel.

 

Here are some pictures of the 94 and 97 Matte nickels. These are referred to by several different names - SMS, Matte Finish or Specimen ( I think NGC refferred to the 94 as Specimen for a short period).

 

Grerat answers.

The SMS coins were produced in San Francisco and then the retired dies were used to strike coins for circulation (in San Francisco) to help ease the coin shortage.

They used quite a few different techniques on the SMS coins especially in '65/ '66. By '67 they had mostly settled on one technique which used basined dies striking polished planchets a single time but there was a lot more variability before this and coins exhibiting these methods can still be found in the sets.

Many of the coins from all three sets can be found which appear almost indistinguishable from frosted proofs. Most are struck only a single time so they tend not to have the square rims and razor sharp strikes. The bulk of the SMS coins look like very high quality circulation strikes. There are a handfull which appear to be actual proofs.