1967 1c- 50c Special Mint Set, 5 Coins SP

Original Packaging: The same packaging used in 1966 was employed for the 1967 sets. This consisted of a two­-­piece casing of transparent plastic fitted around the coins and sonically sealed. A blue plastic insert formed a backdrop for the coins, and the sonically sealed holder was slipped into a blue cardboard box imprinted in silver: UNITED STATES SPECIAL MINT SET. The 1967 boxes differ only in the application of a round, white sticker bearing the Treasury Department logo and the date 1967, both printed in blue ink.

Commentary: Though the use of mintmarks remained under suspension during 1967, normal dating of the coins resumed. All of the 1967­-­dated coinage, including the Special Mint Set pieces, was produced during calendar year 1967.

The San Francisco Assay Office was becoming quite adept at producing this distinctive coinage, and nearly all of the 1967 issues are of a quality that approaches true Proof coinage. Satin­-­finish coins are unknown for this date, and the typical 1967 SMS coin has a fully brilliant finish. Remarkably, this was achieved without overpolishing the dies and causing them to lose precious details, a problem with many of the 1966 issues. It was a lesson that should have been applied in 1968 when actual Proof coinage resumed.

A popular doubled­-­die variety is known for the obverse of the quarter. The doubling affects both liberty and IN GOD WE TRUST. Unfortunately, every example this author has seen also has even more obvious strike doubling, the last which adds nothing to the value of a coin. To distinguish between strike doubling and die doubling on this variety, look for a small notch at the lower right corner of the upright of the r in liberty. This notch is found only on true doubled­-­die coins.

Sales of the 1967 Special Mint Sets were disappointing, but it was not due entirely to the coins. Coin collecting had experienced a drop in popularity since its 1964 peak, and there simply were fewer participants. There was also little expectation of profit in the Special Mint Sets, so purchasers tended to limit their orders to sets they needed for themselves. The earlier practice of putting away extra sets for later resale did not seem to be in effect during the SMS years. The 1967 set has always been the scarcest of the three, though the greater quality seen in these coins as compared to the 1965 to ­1966 issues makes them of approximately equal scarcity in gem condition.

Cameo pieces are very difficult to locate for the 1967 issues, while deep or ultra cameo coins are quite rare. This is due primarily to the lower mintage for 1967, fewer dies resulting in fewer cameos.

Source: Whitman Publishing