Just posting pictures of what the 1966 special mint set looks like. The Nickel and the Cent are very poorly struck. The half is covered in splotchy hazy toning. The cent has a smooshed area at the bottom of the steps. Also, it looks like the "ST" in States and the "E" in "E Pluribus Unum" are struck through grease. On the nickel there is only 1 step visible (the top one) and it is not full. I don't know what the writing on the round sticker on the box means. The box... The obverse... The reverse...
I love to collect these and the '67's! The round sticker is just something the dealer used to track inventory. Thanks for posting!!!
Did they pick up that half in a 7-11 parking lot before putting it in the plastic? Maybe some of it is the holder? Well the 66 is 40% so that's something.
I have a 1966 SMS too. Over time, and many military moves, the case cracked badly. At the time, around 4 years ago, I thought the case was protecting the coins from toning and, now being cracked no longer provided that protection. Turns out with these type cases it doesn't make any difference as they are not sealed. Yes they prevent fingerprints and contact marks but they don't keep air out. Because of the way I stored them though, they did not show any signs of toning or environmental damage. I ended up putting them (using gloves) into sealed protection...Spark
The edges of these holders are fairly easy to pull apart without damaging the holder. I think people pull out the good ones and slip in a lesser quality coin. Not all times but I've gotten a few that you can tell plastic has been tinkered with.
