Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;giorgio11, post: 1499836, member: 17094&quot;]The 1964 SMS coins are extremely rare. Numismatists quibble about the terminology but they are experimental finish coins, business strike dies that were polished heavily and then (IMHO) stamped more than once like proofs, so they show extremely sharp strikes, far more than normal business strikes. All five denominations are known, but the halves are the rarest of the five denominations, with the nickel second-rarest. I have done extensive study of these and have bought and sold two complete five-piece sets in the last 2-3 years plus three singletons and have an 1964 SMS (MS/SP67 PCGS) in my Kennedy Half Registry Set. My 1964 SMS Kennedy is the one depicted on CoinFacts for PCGS #6844 (I need to send it to Todd Pollock someday for a better photo). I believe only 10-15 examples survive of the half, making it one of the rarest coins made in the 20th century. </p><p><br /></p><p>Current PCGS Populations (I say submissions rather than coins because I know there are numerous crackouts and duplications in these figures. I also exclude a few coins previously certified by NGC because I think most of them by now have crossed to PCGS). These populations have not changed at all in years now, and you seldom seen an example of any denomination at auction: </p><p>1964 SMS <b>cent</b> (RD and RB) (PCGS #3283, 3284) <b>22 submissions</b></p><p>1964 SMS Jefferson <b>nickel</b> (non and FS) (PCGS #4170, 84170) <b>18 submissions</b></p><p>1964 SMS Roosevelt <b>dime</b> (PCGS #5220) <b>22 submissions</b></p><p>1964 SMS Washington <b>quarter</b> (PCGS #5974) <b>28 submissions</b></p><p>1964 SMS Kennedy <b>half </b>(PCGS #6844) <b>12 submissions</b></p><p><br /></p><p>John&nbsp; Dannreuther of PCGS has written of these, &quot;Although the exact source of the&nbsp; Special Mint Set strikings of 1964 coinage is uncertain (most believe&nbsp; they came from the estate of dealer Lester Merkin), they have been&nbsp; trading in the numismatic marketplace since their surfacing in auctions&nbsp; beginning in 1993. Their inclusion as separate varieties is analogous to&nbsp; the separate listing of Satin finish examples in Mint Sets, which were&nbsp; first issued in 2005. Both are striking variations that represent a&nbsp; variation from the normal strikes (hence, PCGS listing them as separate&nbsp; varieties).&quot; But of course the Satin Finish coins are extremely common. </p><p><br /></p><p>Best Regards,</p><p><br /></p><p>George[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in