Retoning in Holder - Market Acceptable?

I just purchased this coin with the following seller photos:



And when I opened the package I received this:



I was quite surprised to see such a degree of retoning in a recently slabbed coin.

The seller photos are not manipulated as the NGC cert photos also show an even grey coin.

Do you think that a circulated coin like this one is still market acceptable with this toning, and even if so would it be considered negative? It certainly looks a lot different from the original photos.

Otherwise there are no issues with scratches, dings, etc.

 

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If your images are more accurate than the sellers as to the actual look of the coin I'd return it. You would almost think they're two different coins. Sellers have been known to "enhance" images.
BTW I've never heard of coins untoning in the slab.

 

If you're unhappy then I would return it. Looks like the seller may have 'enhanced' his photos. There's a pretty big difference between theirs and yours.

 

Are they really the same coin? The details don't seem to check out.

On the other hand, 1896 ruble coins are very common in VF condition. Unless you have a scarcer mint variety such as the Paris or Brussels mint, I wouldn't spend a fortune of them in slabs.

 

Returning it ASAP and buying a XF one (slabbed or not) would be a good idea.

It feels to me like it is the same coin but the difference is surprising, to say the least.

 

Same cert number?

 

It really is the same coin. Notice the small rim ding in the seller's photo below the "U" in "Ruble" on the reverse. I verified that the coin has this mark. I don't think that Photoshop was used either, because if you check the photos on the NGC site for the cert number you will see a clean grey coin. I'm just surprised to say the least that there is so much retoning in such a short time.

Regardless the seller should have used current photos. Would this justify a SNAD? I shouldn't have to pay shipping for something like this.

 

Yes

 

I know some things can show up in some light and not others. I have both bought and sold a few that the pictures for some reason did not show all the odd toning.

 

It is not unusual for digital camera ( especially the USB types) to distort if you used digital zooming or digital magnification to take the photos , as they use software to extrapolate, guess what extra ( nonexistant ) pixels to fill the spacing, and so blurring, color aberration, darkness, etc. can appear in the photograph that is really not there on the coin. If you see it with your eye as your photo shows it, then your photo is the correct one. I would return it myself.

 

Looks like two different coins to me. Second pic looks to have much more worn areas.

 

They are two different coins alot more wear on coin that you took pictures of I would get a refund.

 

Rim dings look different to me.

 

I rarely return coins. But, enhanced photo's are a no go for me. Unless I really love the coin, I return it on principal if the photos are edited to any significant degree. This, I would return without blinking an eye.

 

Several months ago I won an auction for about $200. The coin was certified MS64 by PCGS and the seller's photo showed what appeared to be an area that was toned. He even described it as toned in his description. When I got the coin, I could easily see that the area of toning was in fact, black corrosion. The way the photo was taken did not reveal this. When I immediately requested permission to return the coin. The seller threw a fit!. Told me that the coin was graded by the highly respected PCGS and that I didn't know anything about grading. After explaining that I didn't question the grade, but I didn't want a coin with corrosion, no matter what the grade, and no matter who graded it, he agreed to take it back. He also told me to never bid on any of his auctions again! I sent it back and later purchased a much, much nicer, problem free coin from another seller. Cost me more but I was very happy with the second coin. Ebay pics don't always revel everything.

 

I'm in the 'that looks like a completely different coin camp'. I'd return it and get a refund.

 

Gotta agree, I don't think it's the same coin either. I'd return that coin asap cause I just don't like it. His coin looks way better, even if in hand you can tell it's the same exact coin, I'd still return it.

 

If you don't like the coin or think you over paid for it given it's current (received) condition then return it. If you're pleased with the coin and the price keep it. Coins just don't tone that fast. The seller touched up his photos.

 

I'd return the coin. I don't like the tarnish.

@sonlarson, thanks for sharing that buying experience. If I were in your shoes, I'd be happy the seller wouldn't allow me to bid on anymore of his coins because he seems to be deceitful.