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1965 SMS
| Weight | 3.11 g |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | NIFC (Not Intended for Circulation) |
| Mintage | 2,188,147,783 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Zinc |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Victor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-627 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
The 1965 SMS (Special Mint Set) Lincoln cent represents a unique chapter in American coinage. From 1965 through 1967, the U.S. Mint suspended its traditional proof set program and replaced it with Special Mint Sets. The decision stemmed from the ongoing coin shortage: the Mint argued that diverting resources to proof production was impractical when the nation desperately needed circulating coins.
Special Mint Set coins occupy a middle ground between regular business strikes and proofs. They were struck on higher-quality planchets with better-than-average dies, producing sharper detail and more lustrous surfaces than ordinary circulation cents. However, they lack the deep mirror fields of true proofs. The finish varies; some 1965 SMS cents appear nearly proof-like, while others are closer to a standard satin finish.
Mintmarks were omitted from all coins during this period, so the 1965 SMS cent bears no mintmark. The reported SMS mintage exceeded 2.1 billion sets, though this figure is disputed and may reflect total production across all mints rather than SMS-specific output. The 1965 SMS cent is widely available and affordable. Collectors value it primarily for its place in the narrative of the mid-1960s coinage upheaval.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | — | — |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | — | — |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | — | — |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | — | — |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | — | — |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | — | — |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
How many 1965 SMS Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
What is a 1965 SMS Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
What is the melt value of a 1965 SMS Lincoln Memorial Cent?
Is the 1965 SMS Lincoln Memorial Cent a key date?
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