Opinions On This 1964 Mint Set

Quote:
In among these regular circulation and Proof strikes are roughly a dozen mysterious specimen strike examples for which there is little confirmed information regarding their production. These specimen half dollars have a distinctively bold strike and finish that clearly sets them apart from circulation strikes and Proof coins and even the later regular issue SMS sets from 1965 through 1967. The strike is strong with crisp definition with a squared off wire rim, while the surfaces do not bear the deep mirror-like fields of Proof coins. The fields also show clear evidence of extensive die preparation work for these special strikes, notably some clearly discernible die polishing lines on the reverse connecting the bottom tip of the lower crossbar of the F in OF to the A in AMERICA and another prominent polishing line leading from the tip of the lower crossbar of the F in HALF extending all the way to the rim just near the D in DOLLAR. One of the key diagnostic die markers is on the obverse in the form of the "Dangling 4": a small but clearly defined protrusion/defect hanging from the tip of the right crossbar in the 4 in the date. These dies appear to have been specially produced just for these coins and used nowhere else. Only one confirmed 1964 SMS half dollar lacks the "Dangling 4" marker.

The first of these coins appeared as lot 591 in our (Stack's) June 1991 sale in a coin set that included the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter, all with the same distinctive finish: