I'm a bit confused... I thought the Special Mint Sets were created to replace the proof sets, yet PCGS lists 1964 Kennedy halves as SMS and PR. Did they do both for that year and/or subsequent years? I submitted a 64 half to PCGS which I thought was a business strike (no mirror surfaces or high luster), but it came back as a PR. Exactly how do you tell the difference between business strikes, proofs, and SMS coins?
Proof coins generally have square rims and a high luster. If you look at the detail you'll also see that it's all there since they are struck twice. They did a lot of experimenting with the SMS's. They also minted '64 coins into 1966 so they even experimented on the older coins apparently. Only around 20 of each of the '64 SMS coins are known. There probably are some '65, '66, and '67 proofs. None were officially made but a very few appear to be struck twice on polished planchets with basined dies.
Interesting. Well, my proof 64 graded a disappointing PR66, probably so low because it has no luster. Instead it has a nice even tone to it which it what made me think it was a business strike. For the life of me I have no idea where it came from and I have no recollection of breaking up any 64 proof sets, in fact up until today, I thought they made SMS instead of proof sets for 64. I'll post some pics first chance I get... it's still a very attractive coin!
