Why does 97 unc set have specimen finish

[moneyhoney]

I noticed my 97 unc set has a specimen finish
Do any other years of unc sets have a specimen finish
I take it these coins are graded as ms, as they are not specimen coins

[moneyhoney]

I believe in 97, they did not make 25,50 or $1 circulation coins.
Is this why the set is done in specimen finish

[TBH]

Both '96 and '97 unc sets have a specimen finish, and the coins are graded SP.
NBU coins for both those years could be found in "Tiny Treasures" and other sets.
In '98 the sets returned to BU finish.

[moneyhoney]

Thanks.
I have bought a few sets to acquire non circulating coins.
I have found that the coins in the oh canada set can be in better grade than unc sets, perhaps the hard plastic prevents scratches.
Specimen sets go for 3 times the price of the unc set. Can you tell me the difference between the two sets in 97.

[moneyhoney]

Doing a price comparison between PL and SP on the 1997 numismatic sets here and the individual coins, there seems to be very little price difference. In some cases the PL coins have higher values.