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 Replies: 8 / Views: 4,093 |
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
Hey folks, this has probably been asked, but what's the difference between a Special Mint Set (I have one for 1966), and a Proof set that I see so many of? Is the SMS a different die?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
The SMS's were only dated 1965, 1966, and 1967. None were made/issued after 1967.
Proof sets ended in 1964 and later re-started in 1968.
The Special Mint Sets were minted a bit differently than Proof sets. SMS used polished dies while Proofs used both polished dies and polished planchets. Also, the SMS coins were struck just once, as opposed to the Proofs 'double-strike' system.
PS: I recently learned that NO SMS's were struck in 1965. The 1965 AND 1966 sets were both struck in 1966; and the 1967's in 1967. Also, the SMS were all struck in San Francisco.
Edited by atticguy
08/08/2023 3:07 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
100 Posts |
Good information. Thanks. I find it interesting that my 1966 set worth about $15 together, but if I pull the coins and tried to sell them, it appears I could get much more for them collectively.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6500 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
Fantastic article. Thank you for sharing that.
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
Additionally, the 1965,1966, and the 1967 coins minted did not have any mint marks on them - no matter where they were minted. All 3 mints were in operation, so if you had multiple 1966 SMS sets, you would never know where it came from.
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
here is a pic of a 1965 sms, 1966 sms and 1968 proof, just got them today from the same seller, notice the 65 is almost as shiny as the 68 proof,while the 66 is duller. The only way I know these are sms is the sellers claim. I need to find a real nice circulated 66 to compare, to make sure he sent me a sms and not a cir. The prices were way different, the 65 was $17, the 66 was $11 and the 68 was $8. Any insight is welcome  |
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
I just found out the 65 was minted in both brilliant and matte finish, now I need to find a matte type
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1648 Posts |
In 1965, the U.S. Mint discontinued issuing both Proof and Mint sets. However, as an alternative, the Mint began offering what are known as Special Mint Sets. The coins in these sets had a special finish that was most akin to the Satin Proofs of 1936 -- far better than the finish on a regular Mint State coin, but not nearly as brilliant and reflective as the finish on the Proof coins of 1937 to 1964. Collectors purchased over 2.6 million 1965 sets, but only because they had no alternative. This amount was far below the number of 1964 Proof Sets sold (3.95 million) and the total of all 1964 Proof and Mint Sets sold (4.96 million), so the Mint took a serious hit to its revenue stream. The Mint issued Special Mint Sets in 1965, 1966, and 1967, and each year saw a declining mintage. In 1968, the Mint began offering regular Proof and Mint Sets. Collector enthusiasm returned and the mintages returned to their pre-Special Mint Set levels. Heres an article on the 1964 sms https://www.PCGS.com/news/1964-spec...nt-set-coins |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 4,093 |
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Posted 08/08/2023 3:09 pm
