1966 SMS Cameo Penny Question.

I am not really seeing a cameo.
John1

Nice but no cameo SMS-66 not good enough to send in .

Normal SMS, not cameo.

coin is not strong enough to make 66. 66's have mushy strikes so thats not going to make a difference. your 4th obv photo is the sharpest of the lot and there is just too many marks and scuffs to make that grade. the scratches in the steps will also hold it back

65RD

ahhhhh did someone mention SMS cameo Lincoln Cents? currently NGC lists a pop of 44 1966 SMS cams in SP-66 with 42 higher and value of $425.00. PCGS lists their pop of 1966 cameo SP-66 examples at 63 with 24 higher and price guide of $215.00.
I have 3 (and one on the way from GC and have had 11 examples: 1965 2 ea. 1966 3 ea. and 1967 7 ea. in both NGC and PCGS holders with CAM designation, none were or are iffy I've never seen a toss-up example in an ngc or PCGS slab some are just a little more awesome than others - as for who's tougher on the CAM designation? well I'm no expert but my NGC examples were/are super frosties the PCGS examples imo are big on absolute smooth proof like feilds with just a smidgen less frost.
Some are super frosties on both the bust and memorial building, some are super smooth darkies with proof like killer obverse and reverse feilds with frosting subdued by darkening (normal toning). Eleven examples are by no means a sample example and no statistical conclusions can be drawn but the ones I held in my hands that blew me away were both PCGS and ngc graded examples.
I.M.O. both TPG's are mean and stingy as the other awarding the cameo designation on SMS Lincolns.
The only thing I don't like about the SMS cameo cents is I sold 7 of them for chicken feed at auction in 2018...brother did I learn from that and kick myself 4 it. I now throw out the price guide on these especially the 1965 if its a solid SP-65 CAM I will go over retail on bid.
Prices are stagnant crabbwalking at best or way down since 2016 on these and it amazes me what these are going for at auction due to a low interest or whatever? I see opportunity at present and other SMS cam lovers you get my drift on the matter its buying time on all 3 years. Readers digest reports their not making these anymore and that the lions share have been picked through or suffer improper storage issues or simply really pretty but not a CAM.
Long live the SMS cameo cents!
Now that my unhinged manifesto on sms cams is finished I digress, if your interested in finding these in the raw wilds its imperative you have certified examples in hand to understand what how and why the cameo designation is given and to compare that almost perfect SMS cent still wrapped in mint cello to a slabbed cameo example. I've went through about 200 complete SMS sets about 60 in unopened boxes or sealed envelopes and found some nice Lincolns but none made the cameo comparison in hand.
I learned quick its cheaper to buy slabbed examples than buying $12- 14 SMS sets with all kinds of nasty surprises inside.
Statistically the odds are very very low in finding one raw unslabbed - possible but very low but none the less good luck. So few people collect these that if your patient you will see the 1965 up on the block 3,4, x year the 1966 about 6-8 x year and the 1967 only moderately difficult popping up on ebay or GC Heritage etc.
There are fellow cameo SMS Lincoln radicals on this forum, you may become one so watchout or you may end up chasing bullseye toned 1970 S proof Lincolns next :)

@Luvmy: Nice explanation from your point of view. The all Cam and DCAM SMS was special strikes on polish blanks. They was done for more political purpose, like gifts to other countries dignitaries, to the congress and highs ranking government.

Those 1965 cam was produce in Philla. What you talk about in cello was produce between August and end of September in 1966 in San Francisco. The 1966 and 1967 was only in slabs. If you has those you was lucky because 1965 was very restraint production. The TPG certify some as CAM but are really CAM? . I am not price drive collector, so I ignore this. What I do not ignore folk and suppositions.

The special sets in slabs Cam or DCam 1965 was not more then 500. The millions after in San Francisco.

Hope this help to understand the SMS.

1. The blank was polish
2. For special event persons
3. The rest was strike on normal BS presses two time.