New 1967 SMS Set - go ahead, convince me not to send these in.

Okay.

So, I picked this SMS set up at Greysheet bid a while back mostly for the toned half. And then I took a closer look at it - there might be some other nice coins in this group. Price guides for DCAM/UCAM from 1967 SMS are very nice - and I'm considering actually sending these in.

(BTW I thought this would be fun. I'm sure I'll be proven wrong.)

Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to politely convince me which coins NOT to send in for grading and why.

Have at it!

 

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All of them are very nice, but the Nickel has several nicks, especially around the steps, so I would pass on this.

 

Wow!!

Quite a set.

That cent looks like it might be a real score. It is hard to tell from a picture and this goes double for SMS cents.

 

Well, I don't like spending money at TPG...so that why I thought it would be fun to hear people convince me these aren't worth sending in. Plus...you know how it goes - some days it's like the graders smile down on you from above and you get a couple top pops...some days everything dies in the Details...haha

Yeah, I absolutely realize it's very difficult to grade Proof/SMS coins from a photo. But it just seems to me these coins would be strong possibilities of at least CAM (I will be honest and say I'm really quite unfamiliar with how CAM/DCAM is doled out on SMS coins; I can compare them to more modern proofs and say no way.)


Here are my thoughts on these coins:

For me, the nickel has the strongest and most consistent contrast. It definitely looks like a modern proof coin.

For the quarter, the obverse is there, but the reverse is a bit spotty in terms of consistent CAM contrast...but there is a nice big mark right in front of George's eyes that I think would limit the potential grade.

The cent - like I've said above - I'm not sure how they handle SMS Cameos, but the contrast is there. It's not black/white like a modern proof...but it's absolutely noticeably different.

The half...has a nice ring of color. I think CAM is the ceiling for it, but it's way too hazy for my taste.

When I purchased the set, in my mind the color on the half made it a no brainer for $7. This set came out of the same group as my 1967 SMS QDO NGC MS66UCAM. I kind of wish I'd bought all the SMS sets in that group...but there were about 100, and my brain wasn't spending $700 on SMS sets that night.

 

Send them all. What have you got to lose? If you don't ask, it's an automatic no. A very nice looking set.

The nickel will not have FS and the dings may hold it back a grade but I'd still send it and hope for a blind grader. lol

 

Well, that's one strategy...haha

Technically, I've got only money and time to waste. Both are very easy to give away, but very difficult to get back. People aren't spending money on coins like they used to, at least from my POV as a seller.

So far no one has talked me out of sending these in - I doubt I'll send the half in, I've got much nicer ones that would be first up in the gamble line, like this one:

 

I don't believe they give the FS designation on SMS nickels. I think like proofs it is implied.

 

That's the thing.

SMS cents never have good contrast even on cameos. That yours has enough to photograph at all bodes well for it. It also appears to be clean and a very early die strike. It's hard to tell from the photo but it might be so early that the die isn't even worn smooth yet.

The nickel ain't too shabby neither. It is a little too rough to go over 66 though.

The others look much iffier.

It's a very remarkable set and I'd wager someone put about the very best of 20 to 30 different sets in it. I never saw a set back in the old days that looked like this. The '67 ran really nice but there was almost always at least one clunker in them. It was far easier to find a Gem '65 SMS.

I'd love to see another photo of the cent from a steeper angle and the light opposite it.

 

What's interesting to me now is that this new cent isn't even comparable (in terms of cameo contrast; I think the new cent is a better grade) to another 1967 SMS cent I've been saving for maybe a couple years.

New SMS Cent (let's call it #2)​

Here's a shot next to the window of both cents using my cell phone (#1 in background, #2 in foreground) with the light coming from behind:



Another next to the window using my cell phone, #1 on left, #2 on right:



Let me know if that's what you were asking for...

 

I’d only submit the two Lincoln SMS cents... George, Tom and John stay at home for a beer. If one of the cents grades CAM you made it...

 

I don't think I can add to what the other members already said, but I would like to say that's a pretty set and a fantastic pickup, STLD! Keep 'em coming! It is fantastic to see you still active in the game too!

 

Thanks, John, appreciate the kind words.

I'll admit the hobby has lost most of its enjoyment for me, but yes, apparently I'm still at it haha.