In What Years Were The Canada Specimen Sets Made?

This auction, had an example of a burnished planchet used for PL strikes.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Three-types-...262229869806

SPP-Ottawa,

Thanks you. I was not aware there were three different methods for PL strikes. Yes, you are collecting exactly the same way I am attempting to collect.

It seems that I stepped into a bit of a war here. But, I am only going by what the grading companies are using for strike notations. The Canada based grading company that I see on ebay, NGC, and PCGS are all using the notations, MS, PL, SP, and PR for the different strikes. They add the term Satin for the striation pattern cents. Burnished and Matte are also terms used, but I do not think I will encounter any of those pennies as they are probably all very expensive. Also, the list I am using was not created by me, but came from someone on here. I am using it to complete the set. I also have another list of all the clashing and Machine Doubling errors that another person provided to me from this forum. They copied the information from their album. I am planning on completing that portion of my collection once I get this other list completed. I would be happy to trade Proof and SPs for errors, if anyone is interested. I have several doubles because I had to buy big lots to get discounts. I also wanted to pick the best possible quality from a nice group of coins. My set is looking really nice now. Here is what I have collected, so far.

Business Strikes: 1920 to 1924, and 1927 to 1936 are all in circulated condition. I am missing 1925, 1926, 1929 (High 9), and 1936 (dot). My 1921 is BU.

Business Strikes in BU: 1937 to 2012 are mostly Choice BU Red or better. I am missing 1948 and 1949 (A points to Large Denticles), 1955 (SF & Large Denticles), 1955 (NSF), 1965 (Variety 4), and most of the clashing die error coins. 1937, 1948, and 1952 are BU Red/Brown. 1953 (SF) is circulated. 1941 to 1946 are also circulated. I am attempting to get everything from 1937 to 2012 in BU Red, but some may just be too expensive. I also have the 2006 (No P and No Logo) "Steel" or Magnetic, which is the error coin.

PL from Mint Sets (1953 to 2012): My list says these did not come into existence until 1953 with the 1953 (SF) coin. I have in my set 1958 to 2012. Some of the varieties in the 2000's are not found in PL sets according to the list. My list says that 1985 (P5) only exist as a Business Strike, which I have in the set. My list says that the 1983 (Far and Near Beads) exist in all four categories. I am missing Far Beads for PL, SP, and PR. I have both 1983 Varieties in BU Business Strikes. I am also missing 1965 (V1, V3, and V4) in PL. For 1996 and 1997, the sets came with Satin Finish SP Strikes, so I added them to the PL category, which represents all coins coming from Regular Mint Sets. I am also missing the 2004 Test Set Penny, but I have the 1999-P.

Specimen Set Coins (SP): I am not collecting any of the coins before 1952; although, there is a 1950 on ebay for $60. I lucked out and got a 1953 (NSF) Specimen Strike in a lot I purchased off of ebay. Other than that one, I do not have anymore until 1965. My list shows the SPs ending in 1953, and then starting up again in 1964. There is a 1964 SP posted on ebay for sale. The list says that 1965 (V1 and V2) are available in SP, but not (V3 or V4). I have is the 1965 (V2) in PL, but I am not 100% positive that it is an SP strike although it was sold as an SP. I have 1967 that I saw the dealer take from the Deluxe set, so I know it is an SP. I may also have 1968, but it was an ebay purchase just like the 1965. I have 1973 to 1995 with the PL finish from SP sets (deluxe sets) minus the 1983 (Far Beads). I have 1996 to 2012-P with the Satin Finish. I put the 1998 Large Cent with the Antique Finish in this section with the SP group.

For Proof, I have 1981 to 2007 minus the 1983 (Far Beads). I have 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2012 in silver. I am missing only 2008, 2009, 2010 (1935-2010, Special Edition Small Cent) and 2011 (1911-2011, Special Edition Large Cent). I put the Copper plated silver 1998 Large Cent in Proof here too.

So, you see, if the list is correct, I almost have collected what I can except for the clashing errors, which are next on my agenda. Most of the errors are listed for $1 or $2 on ebay, so it should not take too long to get what I can afford. If anyone needs Proof (1981 to 2005) or PL or SP, let me know. I would probably trade most of extras for error coins. A one to one trade should be fair in most cases. All errors must be in Choice/Gem BU Red or Choice/Gem PL Red similar to my coins. I have mostly extra proof and Specimen from 1973 to 2005. I have a few Mint Set PLs, but not many; however, a few are still in Cellophane.

I put the pennies in coin capsules, and then put the capsules into Mylar Cardboard flips. I then write the information on the cardboard and place the coins in pages in a collector's binder. I like this way better than the albums. I also feel the coins are better protected in the capsules.

Well, that is all I have left to say. If you guys could look at my list and make sure it is correct, then that would be very helpful to me. Thank you for your help. :)

Absolutely not!! The first are PL strikes, the latter are specimen strikes...

Pasasap you may be referring to an earlier comment that I made in reference to sets not referred to as Specimen Sets, but whereby the finish came to be referred to as Specimen. Looking at my collection, the difference between for example a 1974 PL penny from an uncirculated set and a penny taken from a 1974 cased Prestige Set, is not clearly obvious to my eye. I'm not saying that to someone keener on collection such as SPP, the difference is noticeable. But I think we all agree to the advise "don't buy the packaging label, buy the coin". That the difference is apparent to you is what matters.

Some of your post where not showing up on my side, so I am just now reading them. Sorry. I see some of you have answered my questions. Thank you.

I will see if I can get a used copy of Charlton for cheap. I thought my list was made from that book, but I guess not. ;)

It would be helpful if you posted a properly formatted checklist, even a screen shots of an excel list would be better than the longhand version you posted (too hard to read). You would really benefit from a copy of charltons, this year might be useful as it has a section on the penny and error varieties, but even an older copy on ebay would be helpful.

This site will answer most of your questions.

http://www.coinsandcanada.com/coins...nt-1965-2012

Everybody, Thank you for your help. :)