Question about PCGS designations (It's a long one!)

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Seymohr
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Question about PCGS designations (It's a long one!)

#1 Unread post by Seymohr »

I'm a new member and just got back into coin collecting. I'm currently collecting "special" high grade PCGS Kennedy Half Dollars. Like reverse proofs, SMS, West Point, and the like. My question is about the Satin Finish Kennedys from 2005-2010. I've found a variety of them on eBay but have noticed a lot of different designations on the coins.....

MS69SF
SP69
MS69 w/ Satin Finish as a header on the label

Looking on the PCGS website every coin is designated "MS". They don't even list an "SF" designation as they do with Roosevelt or Mercury dimes "FB" (Full Bands) or Jefferson Nickles "FS" (Full Steps). In your opinion are all 3 designations the same? Do you think one would be more valuable than the others? I truly don't care about "First Strike" or "Early Release" headers. The assigned grade is the value to me.

Please help. I've been investigating for 6+ weeks and PCGS has been of no help. 3 unanswered emails of no help.

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Earle42
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Re: Question about PCGS designations (It's a long one!)

#2 Unread post by Earle42 »

I am a Kennedy half specialist and have been for quite a long time now. The inconsistency you mention has always been something that stumps me as well. I have never found a absolute answer other than suspecting the reason may just be that the Kennedy series is not as widely collected as other types of coins.

Another example...compare the known and listed varieties of something like Mercury dimes. Every little nuance and variety is cataloged. Yet with Kennedy half dollars, few people know there is a type I and Type II REV. There also is no definitive list of which of the many different (obvious) DDOs for 1964-D correspond to which of the obvious RPMs and REV types either. A lot of collectors have no idea the Accented Hair variety comes with the two REV types.

I know others for the JFK series. These are just examples.


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Re: Question about PCGS designations (It's a long one!)

#3 Unread post by Triple C »

I believe it is just a way for the TPG's to distinguish themselves, but they all ultimately mean the same, depending on the coin of course. For example an SP (Special Strike) includes a Satin Finish and Enhanced Strikes, but that does not mean an Enhanced Strike has a Satin Finish.

As far as PCGS, Did you click on SP:
Screenshot_20210913-143326_Chrome.jpg
It will take you to the designation you mentioned:
Screenshot_20210913-142157_Chrome.jpg
Hope that helps!

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