The 1965 - 1966 - And The 1967 SMS Sets

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 10 / Views: 1,141
Dearborn Moderator United States 94584 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:22 pm are the 1965 - 1966 - and the 1967 SMS sets considered to be proof coins of just uncirculated? * Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. * Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff

GrapeCollects Pillar of the Community United States 8938 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:26 pm Neither, specimen I believe. Report this Post to the Staff
halfamind Pillar of the Community United States 1484 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:30 pm They are not proof sets. In part due to a shortage of circulating coinage (after silver was removed from the 10- and 25-cent coins), the Special Mint Sets were produced in lieu of proof sets in 1965, 1966, and 1967. Edited by halfamind 01/31/2021 9:31 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94584 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:33 pm Ah! found the answer! on PCGS web page... https://www.PCGS.com/news/collectin...of-1965-1967 The mid-1960s was a colorful time in American numismatics, with the United States Mint making a series of changes to accommodate a terrible coin shortage brought on by widespread hoarding of 90% silver circulating dimes, quarters, and half dollars as the price of silver rose. To lessen the cost of producing circulating coinage, the United States Mint switched the composition of the dime and quarter to copper-nickel clad, reduced the amount of silver in the half dollar to 40%. And to help dissuade the removal of coins from circulation, the mint temporarily removed mintmarks from all coins beginning in 1965. During that same year, mint officials stopped making annual proof sets and uncirculated sets, and instead focused on the production of circulating coinage. But all was not lost for collectors, who were offered a new type of annual coin product called a Special Mint Set (typically abbreviated SMS). These Special Mint Sets consist of a single Lincoln Cent, Jefferson nickel, Roosevelt dime, Washington quarter, and Kennedy half dollar and represent a numismatic marriage of the uncirculated sets and proof sets. It's both.. (kinda) Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:40 pm As others have mentioned, they are neither uncirculated sets nor proof sets. Per the Mint in a 1968 Press Release about the return of mint marks: Proof coin sets, which consist of a specially made half dollar, quarter, dime, nickel and cent, have not been produced since 1964. Their production was discontinued at the end of that year so that full production facilities would be given over to making regular issue coinage to alleviate the existing coin shortage. Beginning late in 1965, however, conditions permitted the production of special mint sets at the San Francisco Assay Office. Although these sets are better in quality than any of the regular uncirculated coin sets previously packaged by the Mint, they are not of proof quality. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94584 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 9:50 pm Quote: As others have mentioned, they are neither uncirculated sets nor proof sets. no need to chastise... I was making a small joke.. as PCGS called them a 'Marriage of both uncirculated AND proof. The quality seems to fall in between the 2 grades. I just wanted to get a better clarification so I can document them better with my collection. and to make sure I'm not missing any of the older sets.. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 01/31/2021 10:02 pm @Dearborn: I wasn't chastising, just trying to help with a thorough explanation that would also help educate others with the same question. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 02/01/2021 04:24 am I call them "hybrids" John1 Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 02/02/2021 9:35 pm Since they are not labeled as Proof, can not be called Proof I guess. Report this Post to the Staff
mikem007 Valued Member United States 318 Posts	Posted 02/02/2021 9:51 pm They do have imperfections when compared to proofs. I have around 20 sets left that I haven't broken open yet. The 66 and 67 sets are encased in hard plastic which is harder to open which is half my reason for not opening at this time. Report this Post to the Staff
GrapeCollects Pillar of the Community United States 8938 Posts	Posted 02/02/2021 10:03 pm @Mikem007, I usually pop the SMS sets with my hands, there's a seam along the corner you can use to pop it easy enough. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 10 / Views: 1,141

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Modern Coins

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.38 seconds to rattle this change.