Practically no die polish lines. I am convinced that it is from a proof die with a special finish. Maybe a special strike. Until I learn more, I will leave it at that. Thank you. The OP mentioned different finishes, can you post an image comparing two of the coins in question??
Okay, I think you are seeing various Kennedy's which had a very shiney surface, but after packaging in a mint "baggie" these sufaces break up into billions of tiny fragments, looking sparkly. Others which have not the severe "gloss" or strong mirror, are probably later strikes from the same die. So in nuce, one sample is an early strike (the glossy one), and the duller one is a later strike. That is my opinion. I hope someone can chime in and assist. Gary in Washington
Okay, I think you are seeing various Kennedy's which had a very shiney surface, but after packaging in a mint "baggie" these sufaces break up into billions of tiny fragments, looking sparkly. Others which have not the severe "gloss" or strong mirror, are probably later strikes from the same die. So in nuce, one sample is an early strike (the glossy one), and the duller one is a later strike. That is my opinion. I hope someone can chime in and assist. Gary in Washington --- (Somebody (not me) reproduced this reply 3x!)
I have one similar but not NEAR as nice as yours. I asked for pics and I got some good ones. I will save yours in my misc folder. Outstanding coin...thanks.
Any pics of the reverse @Ethan? I'm curious if it is the same die pair as @GSDykes coin. It has a similar look, just not as satiny.
In my checks it was found not to be... See here for more details, https://www.cointalk.com/threads/1964-kennedy-proof-or-sms-trying-to-learn-here-chime-in.259704/
ETHAN wrote in part: In my checks it was found not to be... Yes Ethan, I agree that we both have unusual proof specimens, not the rare SMS coins. The question is now what is the value of these special strikes?? Where did you get yours? Gary in Washington
I got mine on the Bay from ......wait a sec.. Feb 09, 2015 $19.99 "1964 Proof Kennedy Half - PLS READ - From JT Stanton's CherrypickerCoins - 2565" Seems we have something in common maybe?
Yes, we both got them from Stanton, and he stated to me that he removed them from proof sets. He stated that he has seen several others. He also knows the variations quite well. He also warned me that some might try to suggest that it is the more rarer SMS types, he says definitely not, it is a proof. Period. Thank you for sharing this. NOW, is Stanton the only person to receive such proof sets??? Hmmmmmmm Gary in Washington
A little searching revealed that two types (or more?) of 1964 proof sets were prepared by the US mint, one in a hard case, and the other in cellophane. From what I could see all the satin's were in the cellophane types! observe below: All of the hard case samples showed mirrored fields, which I viewed on EBAY, all cellophane's showed satins! But why is not this commented upon in the literature? Does anyone have one of the publications on the Kennedy coins, can you check for us?
The second one is not a mint product I would think. Also I have pulled mirror proofs from cellophane all the time, I have seen no other type except for these.