What happened to this slabbed Kennedy?

I bought this Kennedy Half a few weeks ago in a package deal and when I got home and had a closer look at all the coins I realized that something wasn't right with this Kennedy! Frustrating for certain!! Anyways, I'm trying to figure out how this slabbed coin got what looks like coffee sprayed on it. Has anyone ever come across a slabbed coin like this? Any ideas on how it got that way? Anyone?

 

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The first thing that I notice is that the slab appears to have been tampered with. The left side seems to have been cut off. If that is the case any type of contamination is possible.

 

No it's just the way I took the pic. I have the small date book in front of the slab and the slab is laying long ways on it's side. I can see why you thought that but I wouldn't ask the question if that was the case. Besides I wouldn't have bought the coin if it had part of the slab evenly cut off.

 

Some folks call those milk spots. It's a common problem with no way to fix, that I know of. Many times the spots start showing up after they are slabbed. It's thought that a rinse used at the mint and the change in holder causes it. Years ago folks used little poly bags to send proofs in to be graded because the TPG's ask you to. These little bags were thought to be part of the problem.

 

These slabs are not completely air tight. My guess is that this one may have been stored in an adverse environment (e.g. dampness/humidity) or alternating environments for a time. TC

 

Here'a a another pic of the slab to show that it's a complete slab.
Milk spots don't look like the spots that are on the coin. The spots on the coin are black like coffee, they're darker than milk spots. It's hard to believe that they're milk spots! Dang! Well hopefully someone else can chime in with something else but if not I guess it's possible. thx

 

Yeah, I'll take that sneeze theory but why the person grading it couldn't see the spots is beyond me!

 

Out of curiosity, is the left-hand base of the "I" in LIBERTY broken? I can't tell from the photo. If this is an Accented Hair variety, it's too bad that you couldn't send it to PCGS for conservation and reholder at the same time. There have been other instances where PCGS has suggested to the customer to send it to NCS for conservation, but of course, that takes PCGS of the hook for the reholder.

Chris

 

The spots may not have been evident when the coin was slabbed.
They may have developed into a problem afterwards.

 

I don't know about the accented hair variety but the I looks fine. I am amazed that a coin could get that messed up while being inside a slab. I wonder what PCGS would say if I sent them this coin and asked them what they thought about it. I'm sure they'd probably think I was a nut case b/c I'm not the person who originally had it slabbed but I don't care if they think I'm a nut case. I just wonder how it left their place of business with the ugly spots on it. I guess I'll have to mull this one over b/c if I gotta look like a nut case I'll have to psych myself out to make it happen first. :vanish: Looking nuts is hard work!!

 

Yeah I thought of that too but dang! I guess I'm just really mad about getting stuck with it. I guess that one will have to be chalked up to a live and learn experience. Man even the ppl at my coin club will pull a fast one if they're given the chance. Dirty Dog!!

My fault for not looking carefully at every single coin!! still, ouch!!:hail:

 

I don't think that you're stuck. I believe there's a good chance PCGS will replace the coin for you.

 

My guess too. Remember that people that work in a TPGS get sick too.
Wonder if you sent it to PCGS would they take a chance on opening it? Might respread whatever is on that coin.

 

Those look like toning spots to me. I have a couple of coins with the same colored spots on them that were identified as toning spots.

Here is my 1963 Franklin PR with a toning spot similar to the one on the OP's Kennedy:

 

The spotting on the Franklin is reflected in the PR63 grade. The Kennedy is graded PR66 which means the spotting had to appear after the coin was slabbed.

This coin would qualify for the grade guarantee IMO.

 

I've seen these spots more than a few times on proof coins of the era. They kill the eye appeal.

 

The spot, on my Franklin occured after slabbing, as the OP's Kennedy. Toning spots nothing more.

 

I respectfully disagree. Toning does not form in the appearance of white spots on a proof coin. The sneeze theory seems much more plausible to me.

 

Those spots should be under the PCGS guarantee, i would send it back and get a check from 'em