Different PCGS labels?
Russell12
Posts: 240 ✭✭✭✭
Any idea on why these labels are different for the same coin? One has the date ion the upper left corner.
1
Russell12
Posts: 240 ✭✭✭✭
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The bottom one is a fake is my bet, but there have been some custom labels done so it could be that too.
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Im thinking either mechanical error or counterfeit slab, but both slabs look ok to me from what I can tell. Leaning towards mechanical error.
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There are a number of those labels with "buffalo" in the top left on eBay right now from multiple sellers both proof and MS versions. I'd say it's a real label.
Both slabs are real; they are just different generations.
The top one is a variation of 4.1 (2002-2004 per PCGS Museum of Coin Holders) while the bottom one is a variation of 4.0 (1998-2002). Commemoratives did not follow the standard type (for example the series and coin numbers were not added). And if you search, you will find more examples of this type of holder. Below are a few from a quick eBay search.
I think both are real and what you are seeing is merely the difference in PCGS generation, which has already been pointed out and @U1chicago has done a very nice job of summarizing.
However, not all commems had their coin and series number omitted during the early blue holders. I own the first PCGS blue insert coin that I had ever seen and received it back from PCGS in October, 1998. When I sent it into PCGS in September, 1998 there were no blue holders and all PCGS inserts were the then-current green inserts, but when I received the coin back we (all the dealers on the bourse floor) were stunned to see it with a blue insert. The coin is an 1892 Columbian half dollar and when returned to me it had both the coin and series number on the insert. An image is below.
It is my opinion that PCGS was still attempting to figure out what worked best on the new blue inserts and that some coins had combinations of data that were not representative of the greater pool.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
On commemoratives and ASEs, the type and date switched places now and then over time.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Real, of course.
The second one is of a scarcer variety. (Not rare, simply somewhat scarce.)
I was attempting to collect a few Ike dollars with that exact label and gave up after a bit.
I find these are generally found on modern commemorative coins- for whatever reason.
peacockcoins
There were also slight rearrangements when they added the bar code between the generations pictured above.
They are different generations of PCGS slabs. Both slabs are real, the bottom one is an older generation slab.
The problem is they are creating so many different inserts that they are becoming a "misleading" sales tactic for dealers. They'll promote the slabbed coin as ONE of only FOUR in existence.........but it turns out it is one of only four with THAT insert. I've seen many Silver Eagles marketed that way.....when there are literally hundreds or thousands of the same coin and grade but with a DIFFERENT insert making it SEEM like it's scarce. Buyer beware! ;-)