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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,762 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
I recently found 2 rolls of 1967 Gem BU Jefferson nickels, in original B of A wrappers...awesome nickels(I posted a thread earlier, with pics)..my question is: How do we differentiate between the Special Mint Coinage, vs. Circulation coinage..all I know from the examples of SMS I bought for my 5c album is the much brighter luster, cleaner strike, with crisp letters, and, somewhat, but not really, proof-like appearance..my coins look like they dies they used were a bit tired, but, great have great mint luster(you can see many die flow lines, and/or, beginning of "orange-peel" effect) Also, why doesn't the RedBook have "slots" for these, next to the same-year circulated coinage of 1965, 1966, and 1967...one would think the SMS coins are important enough to be written up somewhere there...am I missing a page or 2? I suppose if some SMS coins were lightly circulated, it would be tough to tell the difference, having lost a little luster. I know any SMS coinage with Cameo or Deep Cameo get a heck of a premium, and command top dollar, struck in the first 0-200 or so coins, from what I read...don't own any...YET. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
You can try checking the mint marks. Proof coins usually come from a different mint than the circulated ones
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2271 Posts |
There's no way to positively tell SMS from business strike. With experience you can separate them with uncanny accuracy but it's still just opinion if a coin in mint set or business strike even with the SMS. Some are strongly PL and a very few are probably true Proofs. But business strike coins rarely appear as PL's as well. The dies used to strike the SMS coins were then used to strike San Francisco issue coins with no mint mark. It sounds like the roll might have come from the San Francisco distribution region. Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
 I was slow typing my response.  Edited by Fuzzy317
06/03/2012 6:35 pm
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Valued Member
United States
154 Posts |
Newb question: What does SMS stand for please? Thank you =-)
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
I believe SMS = "Special Mint Set".
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
Quote:
Because of a coin shortage during the mid-1960s, the U.S. Mint did not issue Proof Sets from 1965-1967. Instead, "Special Mint Sets" featuring extra high-quality Uncirculated coins were produced. Coin collecting had caused a nationwide coin shortage, so during those years, coins didn't have mink marks
Edited by Fuzzy317
06/03/2012 9:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
In those years I wouldn't call it collecting, more than hording. :-)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1205 Posts |
Yes, Hoarding..serious coin collectors(not me, I was just 7 when the no-mintmark bruhaha hit the fan), were pretty depressed from what I read..end of a major era(aka, SILVER), and, beginning of a new paradigm... We will have a similar day too, when Copper cents will be abolished, allowed to smelt...those hoarding will finally have their day..Nickel, the crude metallic ore, seems to be in good supply at the moment, so, production probably will not change for awhile. I still don't get the RedBook non-mention of SMS coins in the 1c, 5c, 25c, 50c pages..but, they do not discuss the Satin Finish coins, 2005-2010, with any asterisks either, so, they must have some train of thought(no comprede) CG |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
Coin collecting had caused a nationwide coin shortage, so during those years, coins didn't have mink marks. There was a coin shortage and collectors were blamed for it but coin collecting wasn't the real cause. The real problem was hoarding of coins because the value of silver had risen almost to the point where the coins were worth more than their face value as metal. That combined with a greatly increased use of coin operated machines that weren't serviced frequently enough meant huge quantities of coinage was disappearing from circulation. The blaming of the collectors was one of the major reasons for the legislation that ordered the removal of all mintmarks for a period of five years. (It was rescinded after only three years) At one point it got bad enough that legislation was actually introduced to outlaw coin collecting and to make it a crime to sell a coin for more than it's face value. Fortunately that legislation never went anywhere. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,762 |
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Posted 06/03/2012 6:30 pm
