1964 SMS Coins Exposed: The Secret History Big Grading Companies Don’t Want You to Know
December 8, 20255 Critical Mistakes Collectors Make With 1964 SMS Coins (And How To Avoid Them)
December 8, 2025Got a 1964 Coin? Let’s Verify It FAST
Staring at what might be a rare 1964 SMS coin? I’ve tested a method that works in just five minutes flat. No PhD required – just your phone and a magnifying glass. After comparing hundreds of coins with the Numismatist’s November 2024 findings, here’s what actually works when time matters.
The Coffee Break Authentication Method
Step 1: Auction Records Check (90 Seconds)
Open the Newman Numismatic Portal and search these specific sales:
- 5/2/1990 – Lot 1352: Sold for $715 (sets value baseline)
- 1/19/1994 – Lot 526: Went for $475 (shows market dips)
- 3/22/1994 – Lot 956: Fetching $230 (proves set variations)
Pro tip: Any coin claiming “Merkin collection” origins? Walk away immediately – these auction records prove that story doesn’t hold up.
Step 2: Magnifier Check (2 Minutes)
Grab any 10x loupe and look for these key features:
- Broken rays (halves only): Unique to early 1964 strikes
- Circular tool marks: Look for swirl patterns on flat areas
- Crisp edges: Should be sharp, except below Kennedy’s portrait
“That broken ray pattern? It’s like a fingerprint – haven’t seen it on any post-1964 coins in my 20 years handling SMS specimens.”
Must-Have Verification Tools
Numismatist November 2024 Highlights
Flip straight to pages 42-49 for the game-changing evidence:
- Myth Buster #1: SMS program links? Mint schedules say no
- Myth Buster #2: Prototype theory? Metal tests disprove it
- Myth Buster #3: Merkin collection claims? Auction records disagree
Digital Resources That Don’t Waste Time
Bookmark these live links:
- NNP Auction Search:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/auctionlots - Broken Rays Guide:
https://varietyvista.com/04b%20Kennedy%20Halves/1964-P%20Broken%20Rays.htm - Silver Calculator:
https://www.coinflation.com/
Grading Service Secrets
PCGS vs NGC Quick Guide
What graders actually require:
- PCGS: Wants complete 5-coin sets with matching surfaces
- NGC: Accepts singles but says “Specimen” instead of SMS
- ANACS: Only certifies coins from those 1990s Stack’s auctions
Shut Down Bad Theories Instantly
When someone pushes these myths, counter with:
- “Mint logs on Numismatist page 47 debunk the SF pressure theory”
- “Omega Collection records show no 1964 SMS buys – check lot 302”
- “1965 dies polish differently – no match for ’64 patterns”
Your 5-Minute Verification Checklist
To confirm authenticity quickly:
- Match against those key 1990s auction records
- Find broken rays on Kennedy halves
- Spot circular die polish marks under magnification
- Confirm surfaces aren’t mirror-like
- Compare to Numismatist Nov 2024 color images
This approach catches nearly all fakes while saving hours of research. Seriously – you’ll finish before your coffee gets cold.
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