Here's my story. I've been looking for a coin for a while now and came across one tonight that is nice bright white with an amazing sparkle luster to it. For all purposes this coin is perfect. That is until you see the small black dot on the neck of the eagle. Now I know older coins that are a 100+ years old will have blemishes, they have been around the block. But I'd much rather have a perfectly evenly browned coin rather than a "perfect" coin with these distractions.. Thats exactly what it is, a distraction, again I know the coins old but there is something about coins where if it had a "distraction", a smudge, nick in the right place, spot, ect. it is all I can focus on and my eyes draw to it and it takes away from the coin. I'm all for coins having even color and being "old", recognizing their age and wear, but there is something about these distractions that really get to me, anyone else understand this or where I'm coming from? Rant over
Rant understood. The coin is not for you because you'd always be drawn (focally) to that particular blemished part of the coin. Pass, as you'll never be happy with it. Your quest for the perfect coin continues.......
If it bothers you now, it will bother you later, too. Pass. Regardless, unless it is a Morgan dollar, any 100+ year old silver coin that is "bright white" has been dipped and stripped.
I'd say if that spot is going to bother you the only way you'd feel better is if you can flip it for more money.
Distractions, as you say, are common and accepted. It may affect the price though. Eye appeal sells. Distractions should sell at a discount. They're not bad as long as you don't over pay for it IMO. If you're looking for a very nice example of something, you may pass over hundreds before you find one that's just right. Most experienced, discerning collectors go through this.
