$750 accidental cherry pick? I’m working on completing a registry set of Kennedy Proofs, with only two coins remaining (1964 accent hair, 1998 SMS). Last week I saw a chance to upgrade my current 1964 PF66 (non-cameo) to a coin a couple points higher and also with cameo, so I put in a lowball bid, not really expecting much. To my surprise, I took the coin for about $10 less than the NGC price, including shipping, so I was happy. Well, today I received the coin in the mail. The coin was as described, and looked like a very nice spot-free and hazing free example of a 1964 Kennedy. And then I noticed something funny. A serif on the “I” in Liberty seemed to be very short, practically non-existent. Since one of the two remaining coins I need to complete my registry set is the 1964 Accent Hair variety, I waste a lot of time looking at these Auctions, but too poor to actually place a realistic bid for a nice example. I instantly recognized this truncated serif as indicative of the accent hair variety. Of course, NGC has not attributed it as such, or there would be no story here. I’m going to be bold here, and state that I firmly believe the coin I received today, purchased for less than even the non-accent (normal) variety sells for, is a very nice example of the Accent Hair variety. If so, then this coin not only is worth about $700 more than I paid for it, it also fills in another slot in my registry set, just by pure dumb luck. Since I am new here, and have not even made a single post of substance, I am thinking maybe you guys might think I’m a little nutty. For that reason, and to better educate myself and perhaps others, I am looking for confirmation from the experts here based on a few photos and a link. My primary source of attribution is http://www.ipotad.com/pages/ah2.html and a few threads here on coin talk. If you know of others, please link them. Currently, it appears that NGC will designate this variety for free and without specifically asking for it. The coin is an older style NGC slab, so maybe they weren’t looking for accent hair back then, or at least not automatically and for free? How else could this end up in a non-accent hair designated slab? Below are photos I took today: Obverse Truncated Serif Broken Rays Straight "G" hair detail shot (see wishbone?) Thanks in advance for any comments.
Based on the diagnostics shown in your link, it certainly seems to match up. As far as it not being designated as such in a holder, it's because I believe you have to request that sort of designation and pay extra. So, my understanding is, they won't attribute it unless it was requested. Hopefully someone can correct me if I am wrong. Edit: I just realized you mentioned NGC would designate it for free. So I am stumped then.
Based on your reference source I'd say you have one. As for NGC not assigning the variety....I always thought you had to point it out and request it before they'd designate it.
Yeah Ken, that's what I thought as well. I believe PCGS still is that way. Which, to me, seems very strange. I would think they could at least contact you and offer the attribute label at a cost. I mean, what if you send in a 50% off center strike 1945 cent for example and do not mention the error. Are they just going to put a normal label on it, and not mention the error?
Im by no means an expert, but if it was me in your shoes i would be sending it in for the attribution. Looks good to me. Nice find:hail:
It looks like an accented hair to me. I hate to burst your bubble though on the value. If it's a regular proof and not a cam or dcam you're way off on your value. I suspect you were looking at a Dcam price guide to come up with the $750.
At 68CAM, Numismedia lists the A/H at $750. Didn't you say you upgraded a couple points from 66? Be sure to check it for the FS-103 DDO. Yes, NGC does charge for VarietyPlus service. It's very possible that this was in a bulk submission, and it's not unusual that the submitter doesn't bother checking or paying for varieties. It happens all the time. I still have two of the 98-S with the old PCGS designation of "SMS". Chris
NumisMedia lists that as the price for a PR68 CAM (not DCAM). The OP did say this was an upgrade, and slabbed as cameo, although the photo here doesn't really show it.
Thanks for the poll votes and the comments. I think that at some point I will resubmit to NGC to get the proper designation added to the holder. I have only ever submitted one batch for TPG, so I think it will be awhile until I accumulate enough to justify the expense. For now, I will be happy knowing I got this PF68 CAM accent hair for a fraction of it's value. I should probably donate these pics to that attribution site, I think mine are better in some aspects. Ah, the holy grail of Proof Kennedys. SMS, SP, MS, whatever the TPG want to label it as, it' still a real beauty. The lowest I have seen these on ebay is $150.00 with BIN for SP69, usually they sell for even higher. At some point, I will pull the trigger on that final coin. I will also have to read up on the FS-103 DDO. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Here is another better shot of the truncated "I" in Liberty. This variety really ought to be called the "trucated serif" not accent hair, as this can be easily spotted even without a loupe.
Update 2014: I finally got around to asking NGC what they thought, and how best to resubmit it to get the variety listed on the holder. See here. http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=7312226#Post7312226
You win today's "You suck award." Congratulations! You have to ask for variety designation or they will not attribute even if the grader spots it. I would send that right in for attribution. Awesome find! Your Kennedy set just got a whole lot better. TC
wow man, i really dont know much about kennedys, so i started reading all of the little articles on accented hair varieties....very interesting. keep in mind i really do not care for or collect kennedy halves (except for circulated 1964's as junk) but from what i can see, as unbiased as one can be....I SAY YOU HAVE A WINNER SIR....i would have resubmitted it yesterday
For those curious few who want to know what it would cost to submit this single coin to NGC to add the variety, here is what I have so far, and this does NOT include my shipping to NGC: Obviously I think I need to have a few more coins ride along for the journey, but I really don't have many raw coins worthy of submission.
Hex Cac think of adding Kennedy's so wait on re grading is one opportunity . Dates is the issue holding back is what there saying at the Fun show.
Wait, are you saying the CAC is considering accepting Kennedy Proofs? Where have you heard this? Links please to any new CAC news!
Wouldn't it be cheaper to send the coin back to NGC for "ReHolder" and point out that they forgot to print "Accented Hair" on the label? The fee for Reholdering at NGC is $10.