Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;cladking, post: 3276700, member: 68&quot;]No, there are no &quot;certain&quot; characteristics for determining SMS/ non-SMS.&nbsp;&nbsp; The problem is made more complex by the fact that they used many different processes for making the dies and SMS coins and by the fact that retired SMS dies were used to strike business strikes in San Francisco.&nbsp;&nbsp; There is a &quot;look&quot; that SMS&#039;s have and with this look it&#039;s a safe bet that they are SMS.&nbsp; There are also characteristics that no SMS have that assure it&#039;s a business strike but almost any very high grade business strike can be mistaken for SMS. </p><p><br /></p><p>This &#039;65 is high enough grade to be mistaken even though it has the business strike appearance. </p><p><br /></p><p>An experienced collector can tell them apart with uncanny accuracy even from photos usually, but high grade business strikes can be very deceiving.&nbsp; Sometimes I can get tripped upon worn die SMS&#039;s but these are a little uncommon as no die went beyond about 40,000 strikes.&nbsp; It&#039;s more an art than a science but I think the biggest telltale characteristic is just strike pressure.&nbsp;&nbsp; SMS&#039;s were struck under higher tonnage.&nbsp;&nbsp; Luster also is a little different on most SMS.[/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