When I first saw these, I kinda poopooed the idea but being a Kennedy Collector working on a Complete PCGS Graded Set, I got to thinking. First, modern proof Kennedy's are readily available and fairly cheap as long as you don't shoot for the PR70DCAM Slabs. As such, I always hesitated in purchasing them simply because I figured they'd always be available when I was ready to commit the funds. Secondly, I suppose I could have submitted a big batch but then, as with above, I simply didn't want to commit the time or resources for something so readily available and easily obtained. I also could have received several PR68DCAM's or worse. So I simply put it off. Then along comes these new slab labels: .. .. .. All have the Kennedy Portrait on the reverse and the coins are slabbed so that the Obverse matches the Portrait side and the Reverse sits on the label side. A bit bass-ackwards but so what? Sellers are selling these in 10 years lots and the prices were way better than purchasing a standard proof coin one at a time. Needless to say, I then set about filling all my proof slots for my registry since I have no idea how long this particular promotion will be offered to Authorized PCGS Coin Dealers and I was truly bitten by a bug! My thinking was that since I needed just the slightest of pushes to get moving on the Proof Kennedy's, this was as good a reason as anything else! As a result, I've filled all my slots except the 2009-2011's. As a side note, even though these are PR69DCAM's, folks on ebay don't seem to bid them as if they were real PR69DCAM's! The few PR70DCAMs I've managed to win via auction, have all been way under priced as well. So anyway, there you have it. Just another subset of collecting modern coins that somebody dreamed up which will hopefully generate some interest to moderns collectors that have been putting off the purchasing of their proofs. (Like Me!)
Collectors are a funny bunch! I've seen the phenomenon that you mentioned, i.e. portrait labels going for less than standard labels. The ultimate proof (sorry) of people buying the label and not the coin I suppose. But... I'm working on a full set of DCAM Kennedy half proofs and only have the 3 SMS coins and the 1964 A/H left to go. The latter will cost a pretty penny in a DCAM grade but still. As stupid as it sounds, with the rest of them being in standard labeled holders it would irk me to have one with a portrait label mixed in. I have that situation with my NGC slabbed ASEs, one of twenty-six is a blue label early release and the rest are brown labels. Annoys me every time I look at them! I'm not sure if we're retentive because we're collectors, or collectors because we're retentive? Chicken and egg. Good luck with your set!
Thank you for posting this thread. I am a big fan of the late President, for many reasons. I did not know these slabs existed. Thanks. Some JFK stuff of mine and my JFK collection.https://picasaweb.google.com/Ripley44mag/JFK#
Actually, THANK YOU for replying. I'm trying to get one of the Dealers to Approach PCGS with slabbing the 1965-1967 SMS Coins in these which look like they are reserved for Proof Coins Only. BUT, PCGS "includes" the SMS Coins in their Proof Set Registries which to me, would qualify them for the slab. As I said in my initial post, these just gave me a viable reason for purchasing PCGS Graded Kennedy Proofs right now sinces its obviously different from the regular slabs.
Well, IMO, you could pick up one of the Portrait Labels for almost half the price of a regular DCAM and then simply have it reholdered to match your collection for a modest $10 per coin. I've never been a fan of PR70DCAM coins until I started winning some of these Portrait Label PR70DCAM's at less than half of price guide. Of course that could simply be naivety. I've also never felt such disappointment as when I sold a 2002-S Silver PR69DCAM Portrait Kennedy for less than one third of melt last week! ($4.30 bid on a $12.77 melt value).
PGCS is now placing the Kennedy in a white slab with the portrait label. I collect Kennedy Prrofs and SMS. I have both from 1992 on and the ones produced in the 60's. I must admit the new Kennedy slabs are very handsome, PCGS has finally hit on a slab to compete with the multitude of NGC products. I won't pay the premium required to have my coins housed in these slabs but someone sure is. When they first came out, I think they sold for less than the normal blue label (buyers were unsure of the legitimacy of the slabs). Within a day or two, the prices skyrocketed. Someday there will be a slew of "collectors" with a bunch of worthless labels, I just can't believe that a portrait label, one that says "First Strike", "Early Release", etc will much matter. I have a 1982-s matte that is a beauty except for the fact that someone scrapped 1/4" of the satin finish off the rim, beneath the date, idiot. Not sure what a beautiful satin coin with exposed silver is worth so I'm looking for a replacement. Actually it's not the reduced cost that bothers me, it's just the fact that such a great coin is partially ruined.
