A matter of semantics

I ordered a set of 2017 D and P half dollars advertised as UNC from a seller on eBay using stock photos. When they came, the 2017 D had a sizable gouge in Kennedy's chin. I'm not expecting MS-67 but I feel like the seller shouldn't send a coin with damage like this. I messaged him thinking he'd just say, "Sorry. Sure, I'll send another." Instead he sent a reply finely parsing the difference between UNC and BU. "The coins I send are UNC not B.U.If you want to sent the coin back, I will look at the coin,if the coin is UNC I will reimburse your payment,if not I will send you another coin." Granted he's going to either refund or send a replacement, but I just don't like how he is making it seem like my expectations are out of line. Is it unreasonable to expect UNC coins to not have gouges in them? I honestly don't know as I am not a collector who has ever been interested in grades. I just want a coin that isn't damaged.

 

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I agree with you the coin looks rough , although that could have happened a number of different ways such as poor storage and handling. I would not bother sending it back I would take the postage money, and buy another one from somebody else that has good pics of the item they are sending to you. Poor packing can cause lots of damage as the mail gets handled fast and rough . If he is paying the return fee then, I may give him a chance to correct the mistake. Most people expect a UNC coin to look like it has never been mistreated. Good Luck!! Dillan

 

If you have gotten that from the US Mint, you would not have any problem.

 

If it were me it would depend on whether or not the seller specified the difference between "unc" and "BU" in the listing. If he didn't i'd return it, if he did i'd keep it and consider it a lesson learned.

 

The seller's coin TECHNICALLY is an Uncirculated coin, in that it makes at least MS60. And his offer is accurate. Now, is it what you expected? Clearly not. Almost ALL sellers of this type of stuff are pulling them from a bag or roll AFTER all the truly nice ones have been extracted. Therefore, you will ALWAYS expect to get a "meh" to crummy coin on offers like this.

 

I'll make you a deal. pm me with your address and I will mail these to you free. I got them at a coin show last year and don't need them.





BTW, I feel your pain. I just got 2 Mexico 20 Pesos in the mail today and the Ebay photo shows XF/AU and the ones I got are WORN and dirty. I only spent $12 for the pair, but they are going back.

Mike

 

Thanks, I might take you up on that. Just curious, which 20 pesos? As you probably know I'm also working on a Mexico set.

 

2000 20 Pesos(KM# 637) Xiuhtecuhti and (KM# 638) Octavio Paz. A couple of holes in my circulating type set. I am doing a "show and tell" exhibit of my Mexico collection in September at my local coin club, and wanted to include these these two.

 

Actually it probably is. Coins can get marked up a lot between coining and when they finally start receiving wear in circulation. And until they receive enough wear for it to be noticed the coin is still UNC. Even coins for mint sets can get marked up before they get packaged. So hits such as that do not stop the coin from being UNC.

 

Recommendation to OP:

Save yourself the heartache. Do not EVER respond to a Littleton mailing or insert card promoting Uncirculated coins of ANY type for cheap. I didn't fall for it, but another guy here sure did. The most butt ugly Unc coins I have ever seen live or in pictures.

 

That must be one of those rare Kennedy "after the assassination" halves.

 

I've been around long enough to know better than to buy from any kind of mail order offer. I usually focus on world coins and I'm not so concerned with a little wear and damage. But this time I had some eBay bucks to use up and didn't have anything I needed so I thought I'd get some coins for my long-neglected modern U.S. set, and if you're buying coins that just came out you want them to look nice.

 

I just got the Paz one a month or two ago from my local dealer for a dollar or two. For $12 you have the right to expect better than that.

 

If your other offer falls through, I also have beaucoup 2017 Kennedy halves, 2018 too. I hand them out free to YN’s at ANA shows.

 

I think all you members that are helping this member get some nice 2017 Kennedy's are a fantastic . Thumbs up to all you wonderful helpful members!!! Dillan

 

Lets take a look at this from the sellers side.

You stated the seller described the coin(s) as UNC, not BU. There is a difference between these two descriptions and the seller knows this as I am sure you do to. You also stated you knew the seller was using a stock photo. So you knew the coin shown was not the coin you were going to receive.

Now from looking at your photo it looks like the seller sent you exactly what he was describing.You said you weren't expecting a MS67 coin but you got a MS60-61 coin. This is still UNC. What grade were you expecting if I may ask?

If you are buying an UNC coin online (especially eBay) sight unseen, then yes, it is. Low grade UNC coins can and DO have marks like this. The bigger the coin the bigger and more noticeable these marks are. It happens. These coins aren't handled with kid gloves when leaving the mint.

It sounds like you have a couple of generous members willing to send you better looking coins and I would take em up on it. Very nice of @sonlarson and @V. Kurt Bellman to offer this. Way to go guys.

Take this as a lesson. If you don't like the coin give it to a YN and maybe you will make someones day.

 

Just because I like CTers so much, I might even be able to pick out a PL 2017-D. Philly? Not s’much.

 

Don't buy coins on eBay if the seller is using stock photos.

 

The best thing as mentioned is that you always ask the seller to send you pictures of the actual coin that they are shipping you. Keep the pictures for matching to the coin after receipt. If he sends you a second grade or not as pictured you have photo evidence that he pulled one on you. Like @Jaelus said never purchase coins when the seller is using stock photos, that gives the seller a loop hole to off his substandard coins. This is the best info you can follow. Get the picture of the coin first prior to payment. Dillan