Graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) the largest coin grading service in the world.
It has been in operation for there decades.
I am a member of PCGS but NCG coins have to me the most beautiful container/slab and are graded properly
This coin has been on the rise in price and currently is listed on the NGC price list for--
1966 SMS 50C MS (Mint State) $ 65.00
This coin appears as a black and white cameo proof it is so clean
Of the 2,261,583 SMS halves struck ONLY 8,846 have been graded MS-67!
Plus free 2015 Gem BU 2015D Kennedy with semi-proof like surfaces--hand picked from original mint bag.
For orders out side continental US and US Territories please contact me fist before ordering so we can arrange for the best shipping price.
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History of the Special Mint Set Coins:
A Special Mint Set, often referred to as an SMS, is a set of coins issued by the U.S. Mint from 1965 to 1967 struck in 40 percent silver. These coins are characterized by a better than average strike, since they were struck on higher-tonnage coin presses than circulation strike coins, but they were not struck as Proofs. SMS coins do not have any mint marks.
Special Mint Sets consist of one coin of each circulating type in the year it was issued: cent, nickel, dime, quarter-dollar, and half-dollar.
The coins were sealed in special packaging. In 1965, a clear vinyl soft plastic called "pliofilm" was used; in 1966 and 1967, the coins were placed into hard plastic cases. Both sets originally sold for $4.00 per set.
In 1964 the dime, quarter and half dollar were made out of 90% silver. By 1965 the price of silver was increasing to the point that the silver contained in the coins was worth more than the face value. This led to everyday people hoarding silver coins and then selling them to be melted for their bullion value.
Eva Adams, Director of the United States Mint at the time, blamed coin collectors for the coin shortage that was impacting the United States economy. Because she unjustly blamed coin collectors for the shortage, she decided to remove all mint marks from United States coins beginning in 1965. Mint marks were returned to coins beginning in 1968. Additionally, proof sets for collectors were no longer made during this time.
In order to appease the collecting community the United States Mint started to produce Special Mint Sets. These sets were sold to collectors at each of the mint locations and via United States mail.
The coin dies used to produce these special coins were prepared in a similar fashion to coin dies that were used to make proof coins.
The dies were pickled in an acid to produce a frosted finish on the die. The dies were then polished in such a way that the field of the die had a mirrored like surface.
The blanks used to produce the special mint sets the not receive any special treatment before they were struck. Unlike proof coins, that were burnished before striking. The coining presses used to produce these coins used extra pressure to bring out the detail in each coin. Also, unlike proof coins that receive multiple strikes, Special Mint Set coins only received one strike. This makes getting coins in MS 69 (except 1966 that costs almost $ 2,000) and 70 impossible.
However, the first few coins made from the specially prepared coin dies exhibit proof-like cameo contrast characteristics. They sell for a premium well above the regular special mint set prices.
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All orders are enclosed in "Uneekmailers Poly Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes" the strongest and most protective envelopes on the market. It costs me more but the coins are as protected as they can be.
Plus in cases when one or more coins are ordered I use cardboard over the coins inside the padded mailer.
The entire mailer is then wrapped in thick packing tape.
I am retired and I usually process the orders within 3 hours of receiving them and they are sent out within 10-12 hours at the latest.
Shipping / Handling Cost | Cost For Each Additional Item | Service |
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$2.95 | $0.00 | Standard Shipping (1 to 5 business days) |