What Does A 1964 Sms Penny Look Like
Okay, so picture this: my grandpa, bless his heart, was a hoarder – but a coin hoarder. Not like, newspapers from 1952…though there were those too. Anyway, he had jars and jars of pennies. As a kid, I'd spend hours sorting them. I thought I was rich! Turns out, most were just... pennies. But the thrill of maybe finding something special? Priceless. And that's what brings us here: trying to figure out if one of those pennies I touched might have been a 1964 SMS (Special Mint Set) Lincoln Cent. Because, you know, lottery ticket mentality.
Let's be real: you're probably wondering, "SMS? What even is that?" Fair question! Basically, in 1964, the US Mint was having…issues. Coin shortages were a thing. So, they skipped making proof sets (the super shiny, collector-y coins) to focus on regular circulation coins. But…and this is a big but… somewhere between zero and a few dozen, maybe, 1964 coins were struck with a finish better than your average circulation coin, but not quite proof quality. These are the 1964 SMS coins. They were believed to be part of experimental sets for future minting processes. Now, these are the coins that make collectors drool. And me too, now that I know about them!
So, What Does a 1964 SMS Penny ACTUALLY Look Like?
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Forget the pipe dream of instant riches for a moment (though, fingers crossed, right?). What are the actual distinguishing features? It's all about the details, my friend.
Must Read
The Shine: This is the first thing you'll notice. Forget the dull, brownish penny you find in your couch cushions. An SMS penny has a semi-reflective surface. It's brighter and more lustrous than a regular 1964 penny. Think of it like this: a regular penny is matte, a proof penny is super shiny like a mirror, and an SMS penny is somewhere in between. Like, a gently polished surface. See? Easy!
Strike Quality: "Strike" refers to how well the design is impressed onto the coin. SMS pennies have a much sharper, more defined strike than regular pennies. Look closely at Lincoln's beard, the details of his suit, and the lettering. On a regular penny, these details might be a little soft or mushy. On an SMS penny, they're crisp and clear. Use a magnifying glass if you have one. Seriously, those tiny details make a difference. Get those reading glasses out.
Surface Condition: Regular pennies banging around in circulation for years tend to get scratched, dinged, and generally roughed up. SMS pennies, ideally, have fewer of these imperfections. That doesn't mean they're always perfect, especially if they've been floating around. But a good-condition SMS penny will generally have a smoother, less marred surface than a regular penny of the same age.
The Die Polish Lines: Now, this is where it gets a bit more technical. But stick with me! Due to the way these coins were made, they often exhibit very faint, parallel lines in the fields (the flat areas of the coin around the design elements). These are from the polishing of the dies used to strike the coins. They're extremely subtle and can be hard to see, but they're a key indicator. You'll need good lighting and, again, a magnifying glass. Think of it as coin detective work!
Weight and Metal Composition: Unfortunately, weight and metal composition won't help you much. All 1964 pennies (SMS or otherwise) are made of the same copper composition and weigh the same.
Important Caveats (Because Nothing is Easy)
Okay, so here's the downer: telling the difference between a really well-struck regular 1964 penny and a true SMS penny is tough. Really tough. Even experts disagree sometimes. There's even debate about how many actually exist. Some pennies have been artificially polished to look like SMS examples, too. So, be careful! And don't mortgage your house based on your findings.
Getting it Graded: If you really think you have an SMS penny, the best thing to do is send it to a reputable coin grading service (like PCGS or NGC). They'll authenticate the coin and assign it a grade, which will determine its value. This will cost money, though, so be reasonably sure before you shell out for it.
In short, finding a 1964 SMS penny is like finding a needle in a haystack. But hey, someone's gotta find it, right? Just remember to look closely, be skeptical, and don't get your hopes too high. But hey, if you find one, let me know, okay? I’ll be your best friend… for a cut, of course!
