I got this otherwise nice-looking MS-64 Red penny from a very reputed dealer (you can tell which one, can't you ). The "problem" is that while it is 90% red (and probably more than that under natural lighting), it shows some somewhat irritating "saliva-spots" on some of the maple leaves on the reverse (must be from one of you disgusting droolers ); check out 11-, 1-, and 4-5-O'Clock positions (near the rim) as well as a light one on the "C" of Canada; these can be seen when I hold the inner flip at an angle (see video @ 0:50). These show up more if the coin is viewed under artificial lighting and at an angle.
So my question to you guys is: is it a keeper, or should I return it? I mean, is this a common occurrence for bronze coins of that era? I paid a relatively high price, a little less than trends.
I collect large cents and I would love to have that coin in my collection. It would be the star of the show for me. That is because most of my large cents don't rate any higher than EF40. On the other hand, for you, maybe this is the weak link in your set and that bothers you. If you cringe every time your eye stops at that coin, maybe you need to replace it. But for me, it would be a desirable coin.
Thanks so much for all your comments, guys. The thing is that I don't really dislike it, and if that was the case, I would have returned it without asking. Rather, I'm really new to this, and have yet to set my expectations and standards. All I have really seen so far are newer and super-shiny red copper-coated pennies, so that's what I was using as a measuring stick, but clearly that would be wrong for a century old coin. Hope I was able to explain.
Thus, if this coin looks great to most, probably it is a good-looking coin after all and consequently a keeper. Also, while spotless coins exist, from what I've seen they aren't cheap either.
This will be part of my 1913 MS coin set collection:
I just bought a strong LED-based handheld light this evening, flashed it on the coin, and WOW, what a difference! The spots completely disappear! I'm thinking that there are some spots, but they were being exaggerated by my bright but unfocused room lighting... I'm keeping this coin!
Thank you all for your valuable suggestions; I did learn a thing or two from them today.
"... newer and super-shiny red copper-coated pennies, ... that's what I was using as a measuring stick..." There is much wisdom in this observation. The coin is a century old. When you are 100 you'll have a few spots on you! Also true were the statements concerning "bother you now, bother you always." A change in lighting is sometimes all it takes to shed a different perspective.
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). The "problem" is that while it is 90% red (and probably more than that under natural lighting), it shows some somewhat irritating "saliva-spots" on some of the maple leaves on the reverse (must be from one of you disgusting droolers 
); check out 11-, 1-, and 4-5-O'Clock positions (near the rim) as well as a light one on the "C" of Canada; these can be seen when I hold the inner flip at an angle (see video @ 0:50). These show up more if the coin is viewed under artificial lighting and at an angle.
Posted 12/07/2013 4:15 pm
if the spots bother you now, they will always bother you in the future. 
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