Another toned Kennedy on eBay...

You're probably right Lyds. I'm not sure I'm cut out for the whole eBay business. I got sucked into watching two auctions that I bid on all day long - it was an adrenaline rush. And I was very chagrined when I got outbid in the last second of each auction, so I bought something just because I insisted on buying something. I don't think I'll return it though - I'll keep it as a reminder not to be so trigger happy.

 

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Well, evidently, your experience does NOT translate to the toned Kennedy Half market. First of all, the OPs coin in question was NOT $17 coin--those of use who collect toned Kennedys know that one throws price guide out the window. I am totally not surprised that it went for $122, as that is what I would have expected with one of Shane's beautiful coins. I have bought and RESOLD coins for many times price guide when the toning is extremely attractive. Many of us who collect them have done so. Thus, it isn't what you think, but what the toned market will bear, and everybody but you KNEW that that coin would sell for many times over the alleged $17. As regards it being in "below average condition" and "being in a NGC slab," neither of those is germane to the situation. MS 64 is NOT below average for a toned coin---most toned coin collectors are more concerned with how the coin looks than the assigned grade. The slab is for "market authenticity" for us, and we don't have to have MS 67 toned coins to have something that is a work of art. Evidently, toning isn't a priority to you, and as such, you shouldn't be giving advice to people who love toned coins, as I was correct in my assessment of it as being negative and counterproductive. John Anthony wanted to buy an attractively toned Kennedy, and I applaud his efforts to get it from a very reliable and credible dealer, who is well-known around here.

 

It isn't trigger happy. I really like the colors that the coin has, and ignore anybody criticizing you on the price. That coin needs no justification, other than the fact that you like it. I was looking at this one as well, and considered going after it myself, for the outrageous colors on the reverse. So, if someone else does not like it, too bad for them.

 

Case in point for those who think one should pay "price guide" for toned coins. This one went for about 4x price guide, and I have had much higher offers, but it isn't for sale, as I love the colors. Beauty is in the eye of the beholders. This was a Kryptonite coin, and he has amazing stuff!!

 

Folks need to be cautious AND informed before getting into the toned coin arena.

Case in Point: http://forums.collectors.com/messag...id=659577&highlight_key=y&keyword1=experiment

Nice looking coins no doubt ............ but also manufactured in every sense of the word.
There is an alternate meaning to the term AT. It's Accelerated Toning and it's occuring across the country for the sole purpose of relieving folks of their money.

You may be very pleased with your Kennedy but I, personally, would rather appreciate a truly collected coin over one whose heritage could never really be ascertained.

The entire point of my posts are simply to get other folks to give some thought to what they are doing before allowing themselves to get carried away in a "toned coin craze" which is easily fueled by coin message boards. The OP was obviously looking to get into this market. So much so that he went ahead and just bought something once he lost out on that other coin. IMO, thats not educated buying but more like buying something in the heat of the moment which he may regret later.

 

I disagree. Many folks want toned coins with market acceptability. You're being a wet blanket on the enthusiasm that folks have for toned coins by bringing up the age old debate of NT versus AT. We're talking about coins with market acceptability, and if one wishes to purchase one to have it in their collection, what is the harm? Not as if he spent $10,000 to get a pretty toned coin--it was a $60 investment, which is hardly excessive, given the price of coins nowadays. To me you are being needlessly negative and not contributing anything numismatically to someone's enthusiastic purchase. One person's "bad purchase," is another's treasure, and the two coins that the OP were looking at were both NT and quite attractive. Obviously, you do not share the zest for toned coins, and that is fine.

 

Gentlemen, I appreciate both sides of the argument. Lyds, you are very correct to caution against getting swept up in a buying craze, but I'm more in tune with Morgandude's aesthetic when it comes to collecting toners.

My purchase of the 64 D was not quite as capricious as I made it out to be. In fact, I looked at number of end roll and album-toned pieces, and decided it would have a pleasing visual effect if the first three pieces in my Dansco album exhibited the contrast between heavy toning on the business strikes and a strong, clear cameo on the proof.

I realize that this kind of heavy album toning is considered ugly by most standards, but there is something about it that I find appealing. To that end, I also purchased an "ugly" 64 P. Perhaps some of you will think that I just made matters worse, lol...





Now I just need to hunt down a cameo proof. I'm not absolutely certain this is what I want to do, but I can always return if I'm dissatisfied.

 

So you consider a coin that toned over the course of 10 years manufactured. I guess that makes me a coin doctor. I placed this dipped Barber Quarter in a Dansco and voila, 5 years later, artificial toning!



Calling it a toned coin craze pretty much tells us all we need to know about your opinion on the subject. It is a market, not a craze, not a fad, not a fleeting fancy. And while there are highs and lows over the course of time, it is just as stable as any other numismatic market. That said, your point to the OP is valid. The toned coin market is tantamount to the deep end of the numismatic pool because there are no established price guides and it is easy for an inexperienced collector to get buried.

I don't agree with his impulse buy either. I don't like the coin, toning, or the price. But I don't feel it is my job to ensure that every member of this forum avoids making mistakes. If he had asked my opinion prior to buying the coin, I would have advised him to pass, but I am not going to beat him up after he pulled the trigger.

 

You're a scholar and a gentlemen, Lehigh, but you guys can't beat me up about a coin, try as you might. I'm made of slightly stronger stuff than that.

I'm here to learn, so don't pull any punches.