ASE's in PCGS slabs are now being faked!

Samets

I bought an ASE certified by "PCGS" and didn't pay much attention since it's a low cost ($40) coin...

When the coin arrived, I took a closer look and the cert is for a 2020 ASE and the NFC doesn't read... Upon closer look, it's also missing the PCGS logo in the bottom right portion of the slab and NFC logo on the bottom left corner.

Obviously it's getting returned but it's a cheap lesson to be vigilant even with ASE's! I highly doubt it's even a real ASE at this point.

Just a friendly PSA to be vigilant...

Rampage

No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

Samets

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I threw a bid in the last few seconds and didn't pay attention like I should have... Obviously in hand a whole lot of red flags went off but this being an eBay purchase, the seller will get it back along with negative feedback so no loss on my part...

Stingray63

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I've seen fakes but that is the first time I've seen the barcode with the numbers to the right. Instant red flag yes.

Rampage

@Samets said:

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I threw a bid in the last few seconds and didn't pay attention like I should have... Obviously in hand a whole lot of red flags went off but this being an eBay purchase, the seller will get it back along with negative feedback so no loss on my part...

What's the rest of the fake slab look like (front and back)? It might make for good education here on the forums to those not familiar with spotting fakes.

Samets

@Stingray63 said:

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I've seen fakes but that is the first time I've seen the barcode with the numbers to the right. Instant red flag yes.

I have many early First Strike coins with the barcode and numbers like this coin. This is not a red flag.

1madman

I tried warning everyone the other day.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1081619/i-haven-t-seen-this-fake-pcgs-holder-before#latest

Same exact cert #

Samets

@Rampage said:

@Samets said:

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I threw a bid in the last few seconds and didn't pay attention like I should have... Obviously in hand a whole lot of red flags went off but this being an eBay purchase, the seller will get it back along with negative feedback so no loss on my part...

What's the rest of the fake slab look like (front and back)? It might make for good education here on the forums to those not familiar with spotting fakes.

lilolme

For those that do nothing with these ASE and/or FS. Here is one from a search but 1993.
Do they re-holder these to get a 1995 into a new slab?

Stingray63

@Samets said:

@Stingray63 said:

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I've seen fakes but that is the first time I've seen the barcode with the numbers to the right. Instant red flag yes.

I have many early First Strike coins with the barcode and numbers like this coin. This is not a red flag.

Actually you are correct. I don't buy moderns or upgraded labels. I have 1800's - early 1900's so just have the typical labels with number above. Thanks for pointing that out. Education is a good thing.

LanceNewmanOCC

@Samets said:

.
thanks for sharing and if those are your images, once you get the lights positioned just right, you are gonna have some stellar images on your hands!!!

looks like a nice dslr, macro lens and copy stand.

i think that is the first time i'm seeing grease/fingerprints all over a fake ASE. i wonder what that is all about? did they think it looks appropriate on a ms69. good grief.

edited to add:

faked coins in holders, including bullion coins have been faked for years now. we've dissected them on several occasions here on the forum. fwiw

gumby1234

The ASE is fake also.

blitzdude

ASEs in PCGS slabs are now being faked? They have been faking them for years.

burfle23

I am always immediately concerned when the image shown is in one of these bags...

ricko

Thanks for the post and the excellent pictures.... This can be a big help for collectors and possibly save some from lost funds. That coin is a very sad, poorly done, fake. Cheers, RickO

burfle23

A new reference book is coming out on Silver Eagles including a chapter on counterfeit detection:

https://coinweek.com/bullion-report/whitman-publishes-new-reference-by-joshua-mcmorrow-hernandez-a-guide-book-of-american-silver-eagles/

JWP

Wow, I have never noticed those two PCGS markings at the bottom of the corners of the slab before. However, I try to run the Certification Number on the slab whether I'm buying it from eBay some online seller or even this forum. This way when I run the Certification Number I get the value of the coin and I feel a lot safer about buying a coin that has been certified by pcgs. It has worked so far and I will probably continue. I still can't believe I have not noticed the markings on the bottom left and right of the front of the slab. Thanks for the info.

silverpop

anything can be faked no matter what companies do ,one has to research the item they are buying and in coins and banknotes researching can give one info on how the item is suppose to look and such

burfle23

@1madman said:
I tried warning everyone the other day.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1081619/i-haven-t-seen-this-fake-pcgs-holder-before#latest

Same exact cert #

Curious if you remember the seller name/ ID?

MetroD

@JWP said:
Wow, I have never noticed those two PCGS markings at the bottom of the corners of the slab before. However, I try to run the Certification Number on the slab whether I'm buying it from eBay some online seller or even this forum. This way when I run the Certification Number I get the value of the coin and I feel a lot safer about buying a coin that has been certified by pcgs. It has worked so far and I will probably continue. I still can't believe I have not noticed the markings on the bottom left and right of the front of the slab. Thanks for the info.

The two "markings", and the associated NFC technology for authentication, are relatively new (i.e., PCGS GEN 6.1(S); OCT 2020 - Present).

The "PCGS Museum of Coin Holders" includes representative images of their holders over time, even the older ones. This reference can be useful in detecting potential counterfeits.

Edited to add NFC information.

messydesk

The missing date and type should have also been a clue that something ain't right with that slab.

TwoSides2aCoin

@Samets said:

@Rampage said:
No offense, but the label is a dead giveaway. The coin is, too, but that's another story.

I threw a bid in the last few seconds and didn't pay attention like I should have... Obviously in hand a whole lot of red flags went off but this being an eBay purchase, the seller will get it back along with negative feedback so no loss on my part...

one thing you may not know ….. once returned and made whole financially, a negative feedback is often not allowed, and/or easily removed. So, the seller can continue on, looking for more suckers…. doing what they do best: faking it and ruining our hobby.

1madman

@burfle23 said:

@1madman said:
I tried warning everyone the other day.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1081619/i-haven-t-seen-this-fake-pcgs-holder-before#latest

Same exact cert #

Curious if you remember the seller name/ ID?

Sorry, I can’t remember

cheezhed

Look at the sun rays, looks like one is missing.

AUandAG

Before you send it back be sure to mutilate the coin and holder. Actually it is against the law to use the post office for sending counterfeit US coins.
Might call ebay and complain that you cannot legally send it back....you'd be violating the law. see what they say.
I did that years ago and ebay said I could toss the coin and they issued me a refund without sending it back.
Another time, on a raw $5 gold, I just took a chisel and marked it with a big X on the reverse. Yeah, looked good on ebay but several grams light when received and had a specific gravity of about 8 as I recall.
bob