Checking the PCGS barcode on IMAGES of slabs - no equipment needed
Frankcoins
Posts: 4,571 ✭✭✭
Sounds too simple to work, but I tried it and it does!
I grabbed a photo of a PCGS slab...purposely not a very good photo
Then used an image editor to make a new image of the PCGS bar code only
And uploaded the image of the PCGS barcode to
http://online-barcode-reader.com/
which returns
The last 4 digits of the PCGS barcode are rendered as DEMO for
non subscribers.
Of course, it's easy to make a fake label with the proper barcode, but many fake slabs
use a random barcode that does not match the serial number. It's an interesting
tool in the fight against fakes.
I grabbed a photo of a PCGS slab...purposely not a very good photo
Then used an image editor to make a new image of the PCGS bar code only
And uploaded the image of the PCGS barcode to
http://online-barcode-reader.com/
which returns
The last 4 digits of the PCGS barcode are rendered as DEMO for
non subscribers.
Of course, it's easy to make a fake label with the proper barcode, but many fake slabs
use a random barcode that does not match the serial number. It's an interesting
tool in the fight against fakes.
Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
0
Comments
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
cnet link
But if it returns the WRONG number, it does prove it's bad!
<< <i>Have you tried it on the fakes from the other thread? >>
yeah, really... try it on a fake slab.
<< <i>Is it possibly the 3 of 9 barcode true type font.
cnet link >>
What frank posted is not a code 39. It may be a 2 of 5 or an I 2 of 5, but not 39. Code 39 has a starting and ending character that are identical (it's the same as the * character)
Useless trivia: code 3 of 9 was so named because each character has 9 elements (total count of bars and spaces) and 3 must be wide. Minimum for wide is 2:1, prefer 3:1 ratio for best readability. It was the first truly alpha-numeric barcode developed. It was developed by Intermec corp. It was the industry defacto barcode for many years, but I believe it's falling into disuse due to the 2d codes that are now being used.
Here is a description of the barcode from our website - PCGS barcode.
Interesting idea.........
116526450393DEMO
The fake coin image is attached. I bought this coin and couple coins on ebay from a seller in Janpan a year ago and I believe they are fake, so I did not pay. Looks like I am correct.
Anyway I attached the fake coin image here.
<< <i>PCGS uses the Interleave 2 of 5 bar code format.
Here is a description of the barcode from our website - PCGS barcode.
Interesting idea......... >>
LanLord, you da man!!!
<< <i>I had a fake coin I imaged, the barcode checked out. Kind of scary. >>
It'd be nice to have the software return the data as well as the coding format.
Still, a positive result is no guarantee even then...
<< <i>
<< <i>I had a fake coin I imaged, the barcode checked out. Kind of scary. >>
It'd be nice to have the software return the data as well as the coding format.
Still, a positive result is no guarantee even then... >>
I think if you select XML it gives some additional format information
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I had a fake coin I imaged, the barcode checked out. Kind of scary. >>
It'd be nice to have the software return the data as well as the coding format.
Still, a positive result is no guarantee even then... >>
I think if you select XML it gives some additional format information >>
XML returns no data on my test...
TEXT returns the correct number but with DEMO for the last 4 digits...
IMAGE returns the correct number, including the last 4 digits...
Neat Post Frank...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
<< <i>it seems a very easy fix for the guy making the slabs... if he can type in the same 10 numbers, whats to stop making reading a barcode and having his printer make the same barcodes? >>
They have web sites that do that for you like barcodemill.com. The only problem for the slab fakers is figuring out the format pcgs uses but its posted on the pcgs site if they know where to look.
Text
<< <i>Try to decode this one.
Text >>
I get no data returned on that one, looks funny as well...
The bar code that is...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
<< <i>Try to decode this one.
Text >>
Returns nothing for me. Apparently a nonsense barcode.
Text
<< <i>Interesting! I accessed the site and chose "Show Result as: Image" and it returned the entire number (correct) without the DEMO as the last 4 digits. POTD Frank!
Someone told me that's a fake PCGS holder with a fake coin. I can't tell from the coin but since it can't be decode I think it is a questionable coin.
<< <i>Try to decode this one.
Text >>
It read part of the barcode for me...
Franklin-Lover's Forum
There are also iPhone apps that read barcodes as well with just a snap of the image (but not sure if they would work the same).
someone is listening....
<< <i>PCGS uses the Interleave 2 of 5 bar code format.
Here is a description of the barcode from our website - PCGS barcode.
Interesting idea......... >>
I have RedLaser for the iPhone but it does not seem to work with this type of bar code and am having trouble finding another iPhone app barcode reader that will read this type of barcode. Anyone know of one?
Greg
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.