I recently purchsed this Kennedy Half from APMEX. If you look at the space between the L and F on the reverse you will notice what looks like a mark. The rep at APMEX has suggested that some discolorations won't affect the grade of a coin and in fact enhance them. This has been graded PCGS 66 proof. The rep has been very good and has offered to take it back. I was just wondering if I was doing the right thing by sending it back for a replacement.
A spot of toning like that isn't going to enhance the grade any, nor will it hurt the grade. Only thing that matters is if you like the coin or not. If you don't - then return it.
Of course that's your choice I would probably send it back it's only a matter of how you feel abot the spot. Frankie boy from Brooklyn NY
Return the coin while you have the offer to do so, as you clearly still don't like it. BTW, you don't have to open an additional thread so you don't get the same advice again and again.
Once again thanks for the advice Krispy. Actually my first post regarding this matter was replied to only twice. Once by someone telling me that they couldn't see the coin that well and yourself with some good advice. I don't think I worded things well in that first thread and so tried to be more direct in this one. For this thread I did get more opinions which is what I was after. Sorry for being a nag on this but being a novice collector I was at a bit of a loss on what that mark was. GDJMSP has suggested that it might be a toning spot in which case I may keep the coin. It wasn't a matter of liking or disliking the coin it was a matter of what the spot might have been and asking for advice on what some others might do in my situation.
Cut it loose. You've already passed judgment on it's tone and you'll cringe everytime you pick it up.. I've kept coins that were less than I expected and generally end up swapping/selling in order to upgrade...
Personally, the spot doesn't bother me and I'd keep the coin since it's graded as such. However, I wouldn't buy graded coins any sooner than raw coins sight unseen. If the eye appeal to you is thrown off by that spot, then return it, but also weigh any costs and time lost in shipping and packing materials, insurance fees in the process. Consider this a lesson in quality, customer service and knowing your coin before laying money down on it... be these good or bad in your experiences, chalk it up as lessons learned. I think the dealer is a reputable one and fair, but they deal bullion mainly. You have a good coin but can also take some things away about grades and coin buying to boot. You're not a nag, it's just easier to assist you when all the previous comments are contained in a single thread about one subject. :thumb:
Your decision. If that spot bothers you, return it. But I have to tell you, I really like the toning on the obverse. If it were me, I'd keep it. The mark is in a non-prime focal area, and it's offset by the pretty obverse. But it really is up to you. You're the one who has to keep it or not.
Send it back. Weeks from now you will wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking about that spot. When this happens, hopefully, you can smile and go back to sleep knowing that you had already sent the coin back and now some other Apmex cusotmer is living that nightmare for real and not you.
Bazz, Yes if it's gonna wake you up at night send it back. Personally if I bought that Kennedy and got a good price, I would keep it but that's just me. :thumb:
That does not appear to be a "toning" spot to me but a "carbon" spot. I have a 1962 Franklin Proof with carbon spots that I successfully dipped off...........only to have them return again. Return the coin if you still can as there are many, many Kennedy Proofs coins to choose from that do not have those spots. Obverse toning or not.
iF THE CARBON SPOT BOTHERS YOU, RETURN THE COIN. (Darn caps lock) It'll always be in the back of your thoughts whenever you look at the coin. There are many beautiful Kennedy halves and you deserve to own one of them. Bruce
I agree. And over time the toning could indeed intensify. Just got to ask yourself, do I like toning or are blast white coins the only ones right for me?
Thanks to everyone for offering their opinion on this. In the end I've decided to keep the coin for a few reasons. I don't think that the coin ever bothered me to the point where I wouldn't be sleeping at night. Quite frankly nothing keeps me from sleeping at night, or for that matter at a lot of other times during the day. I also took the advice of some that the grading of the coin wouldn't be affected by the spot and one never knows about the toning becoming more intense in the future. And finally the coin is inexpensive enough so that I can always get a second if I wish. As for APMEX I want everyone to know that they have bent over backwards to make sure that I'm happy. As a wise Krispy has noted that buying a coin sight unseen is a very tricky way to buy a coin APMEX has told me through more than one email that they would be more than happy to replace the coin.
