A $10K SMS Coin--Here is something you don't see everyday

I guess if you were looking for a rare high grade, high priced SMS coin, this would be the one to get. An incredible specimen from the small extant number of 1964 SMS sets produced. A top pop coin from a total graded population of just eighteen.



http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1124&Lot_No=1580

Wow, what a coin.

 

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nice coin

 

WOW!!!
It gets my attention.
1964 nickels are tough to find above the -64 or -65 grade.
And FS is even tougher!

 

Monticello seems a little soft on detail. And it must take more magnification to see the full steps. If I had submitted this, my luck would have dictated a grade lower than 68.

But that's just me.

All of the SMS Jeffersons are bringing big bucks in premium grades.

Rick L.

 

You know, I just found a very interesting, excellent condition and tone 1963 Jeff. It has a similar appearance. Odd to find in a roll.

 

I know you guys are going to hate me, but it annoys me a little that some people spend $10,000 on a nickel that I COULD PRACTICALLY GET IN CHANGE!!! Particularly while I could double my collection for a quarter of that amount.

Then I think that for every $10k going into this, my coins get that much cheaper. And I'm happy again. Regardless, that's probably the most perfect 1964 I've seen.

 

That's a very cool coin. But a 68? I could see a 68 on the reverse, but is the obverse really a 68?

 

That is cool. Those 1964 SMS coins are so rare...I'd love to have one but I don't expect it to ever happen.

 

I am not saying I would ever pay that amount for a Jefferson Nickel, but the total mintage of 1964 SMS sets is estimated between 20-50. That makes this coin ultra rare in just about any grade. This is not a run of the mill SMS coin. I really don't think you could ever find a coin of this magnitude in your change, just saying.

 

Mike,

That coin is every bit of a 68 on both sides. I own over 50 MS67 Jeffersons and this one is has nicer surfaces than all but one of them. Please remember that your are seeing a blown up photo. This coin will mostly likely appear flawless in hand.

Paul

 

u r right i would not even spend 100$ on that nickel but thats just me. one mans meat is another mans poison

same way i get rare world coins for cheap poeple dodnt want it if u give it to them

 

You have way more experience looking at these coins than I do, so I don't doubt your experience/perspective.

However, if that coin were an Ike or a Washington Quarter for instance with marks like that it would be a 67 at best, IMO. Just too much obverse chatter/high point rub for a 68 in my eyes at least (or is that a slightly weak strike?). Perhaps there's some market grading / ranking going on with this coin.

Setting aside the grade discussion for a moment, that's certainly a super-rare coin and a very, very nice example. Thanks for sharing.

Take care...Mike

 

With all due respect, you just don't find 1964 MS68 SMS coins in pocket change.

You can certainly debate the value/price/grade of the coin, but it would be a mistake, IMO, to question the rarity of this coin in either absolute or conditional terms.

 

Is it just me or is there some lavender and bluegrey toning going on ?
rzage

 

Absolutely true. But I feel it would be entirely too easy to question the rarity of the coin. The design itself is common as dirt (Jefferson/Monticello). The date itself is common, obviously. That leaves the distinction of the Special Mint Set. Though I confess I'm not sure, I presume its only distinguishable by closely examining the dies. Honestly, if I have to use a microscope to distinguish the difference, is it truly rare?

Yes, there is conditional rarity. But that never impressed me much, particularly in the fictional MS grades.

Damn, after reading this through, I realized I'm starting a flame war. I'm sorry guys, it is still a nice coin, even though we disagree a bit. What we're really getting into here is the nature of rarity and what is collectible.

 

Based on what looks like porosity in Jefferson's jaw and cheekbones, and what looks like a mangled lower part of the first 'L' in Monticello, I wouldn't rate this coin an MS68.

 

Please remember, just because you're not aware of the differences, doesn't mean a collector of this series can't immediately tell the difference with the naked eye....Mike

p.s. I didn't see any flame war. Just a few reasonable people who disagree.

 

As an aside, which do you think is the better 68, the coin posted by Lehigh, or the other one on Heritage:

http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=346&Lot_No=6442

Judging solely from the photos (almost always a risky proposition), I'd take coin #2.

What do YOU think?

 

It is a great coin.

 

Hey folks, these SMS coins are for real. Lincolns in the Heritage CSNS sale today screamed off the charts. Let the experts decide the grade, and before we jump on every infraction and distraction, remember that a coin on a screen is 10-20X it's original size.

Coins in hand are MUCH different than huge pics in high resolution. I would never second guess a slab from the top 2 based on a net pic. Just too difficult. Especially from an expert in the series like Paul is.

Watch and learn, thats what these boards are for.