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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,422 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
A long time ago I was given a SMS set that was not in its original holder, rather it was in one of those cheap, clear, snap-together holders. In addition to discovering that the Kennedy half has toned rather badly, I realized that I actually need a 1967 for each denomination other than the half. So do you think that I should dismantle my set? Also, are these coins from SMS sets technically just BUs or are they considered a standalone condition due to their finish? Thanks! |
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
The SMS coins are in the gray area between Mint Sets and Proof Sets. Some are no better than mint set coins, some have proof like cameo. I think a key difference is that the SMS dies were not polished or replaced as often as proof ones are (someone might be able to expand on this). My Kennedy half dollar Dansco album, which includes proofs, also includes separate holes for the SMS coins. However, none of my other Dansco albums have holes for the SMS coins, yet they are all albums that include places for proofs. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2270 Posts |
For most practical purposes most SMS's were mint set coins struck with proof dies. They used various techniques for processing of both dies and planchets so there are differences in the SMS coins.
More pressure was used in the striking as well as slower speeds.
Most SMS's are distinguishable from regular issues but some of the best regular issues can be very tough to tell apart. SMS dies were also used in San Francisco to strike coins for circulation so it can get pretty complicated.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
hmm very interesting! So this ultimately means that they are just really nice BUs from this time (or at least could be claimed to be)? So based upon this, are you guys of the opinion that the set should be broken up and the four untoned components added to their respective sets?
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Given what cladking said, I believe that putting an SMS coin in the regular hole would not be wrong. I will definitely say break the set apart if you want to fill album holes! Ultimately it is your call, so do whatever makes you happy!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2734 Posts |
The Half-Dollar is worth keeping for 'bullion' just because it's 40% Silver!  That works out very well for you that the other coins are in good enough shape to fill your album holes.  I would say that the SMS Cent in my 1966 Set does indeed look 'proof-like' when compared to my regular BU (MS-60) 1966 Cent..... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5603 Posts |
Some of my SMS sets are "proof like" and very nice on the eye's, also I have broken up some of the sets to fill my8166 album for the halves and placed the cents in the 7102 album and will place the nickels in the whitman album also, which is where they belong.I also have obtained duplicate sets just to have them as sets, they are not that expensive and look very nice with the other mint state coins, BREAK THEM UP , you will love the look , if you have worked hard to collect the finest you can and these are some of the finest, just my opinion, BE WELL, MIKE...  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
Break 'em if you need 'em. SMS's are pretty cheap anyway, you can always buy another one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Thanks for the input, everyone!
I must just bust it since the half has gone south anyway.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
A long time ago I was given a SMS set that was not in its original holder, rather it was in one of those cheap, clear, snap-together holders Uh, the 1966 and 1967 set came from the mint in cheap, clear, snap-together holders. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Conder101- really? I thought they came in blue screw-together holders that actually said something to the extent of "US Special Mint Set 1967" on them? Well, I know for a fact that the person who gave me this set bought the pieces individually and put them in the holder ca. 1999.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
While the 67 set is the more expensive of the three SMS sets , they are still cheap enough to break open , the origin of the coins is in the title they are special Mint set coins making them basically mint sets with a little extra . If you want to use the coins as exquisite examples of business strike coins its cool since most do not reach the levels of detail seen on the proof coins there are however exceptions to that standard . I search these sets specifically for toned lincoln cents and have several broken sets of each .I have used un toned examples in my collection to fill the dates in most of my Lincoln Cent sets .  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,422 |
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Posted 12/17/2008 5:37 pm
