Options
The First 20K 1881-S PCGS FN12 Morgan dollar
braddick
Posts: 25,238 ✭✭✭✭✭
Thought this was an interesting auction.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/407312041558
0
Comments
That's hilarious, so its a VF 20. $50 for the coin & $19,950 for the gold sticker.
It’s not the first 20K 1881-S PCGS FN12 Morgan dollar, unless it sells for that amount.
When I read the thread title I was anticipating seeing an actual sale, due to one of the magic PCGS cert numbers.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I can see how it must have been difficult to come up with a price
What do we think?
You all jest, but while it's obviously not worth $20K, it might be worth $1K to the right person. Gold beans are essentially nonexistent below VF, and there's also the intrigue of how PCGS could have graded this coin so low in the first place.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
Excellent.
Thanks for point that out.
I like that Ebay added "The seller will be more likely to respond if your offer is around $15,000.00."
Why yes. Yes, I bet they would.
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
Crazy sellers can ask the moon and the stars, but that doesn’t necessarily make it so.
It’s Certainly not a $20,000 coin. Never sold for that much and isn’t worth that much.
You would have to have a very serious case of ‘gold sticker fever’ to pay that much! Maybe even have to have your head examined.
I certainly hope that nobody does. I wouldn’t want to pay for that funeral, as it would be quite the burial. 
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I could see $1k for someone that wants an example of an unusual gold sticker.
This is arguably a mechanical error, but as airplanenut's offer is more than mine would be, I guess I'll not bother making an offer.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
So could I send a circulated coin to PCGS or NGC and request a lower grade then the coin actually grades. Guessing as you can request a minimum grade can you request a maximum grade?
The grading services won’t grade a coin higher than they think it deserves, simply because you ask. Likewise, I doubt they’d grade one lower, just because you ask. Either would show a lack of integrity.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
My first thought was How on earth did pcgs call that f12.?????
I think the above post(s) are correct in calling it an error on PCGS's part.
I am a bit surprised CAC didn't also pick up on that and not sticker it accordingly.
But what is CAC supposed to do? The date, mintmark and series are correct on the cert as is the cert verification information and they are the only objective data points on the cert. Certainly you aren't suggesting that CAC interpret what PCGS or NGC had been thinking during a certification, which only leaves using the data on the slab vs. the information about the coin in-hand.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
It is a slippery slope, no doubt.
But let's extend this logic a bit further.
What if a proof Indian cent is misattributed as a mint state coin. Or the other way around.
Even if CAC picks up on that would/should they then sticker it (assuming it would qualify numerical grade wise)?
No they wouldn't sticker it because the coin would be mis-designated on the slab. The designation is theoretically objective while the grade is subjective. For a real-world example I submitted this coin to CAC years ago (below) and it was not stickered. The CAC fee was refunded, but they declined to sticker it because the cert series was designated incorrectly.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Another example Tom:
What if this PCGS graded 1881-S was "graded" GD04- an even more obvious mechanical error, instead of FN12? With XF'ish details, would CAC still sticker it?
If I were CAC, yes, I would sticker it.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I was expecting something like a flip over double strike!
Folks should also keep in mind that I am only writing for myself here and how I believe CAC would handle such a coin. I am not writing as a person authorized to represent the thought process of CAC.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
As always, I value your opinion and many times have changed my mind as a result of that.
I would not consider it an auction but a BIN with unrealistic price. I remember a few years ago someone had a lowball Saint Gaudens $20 listed for $50K.
It's like the little kid with a lemonade stand, offering a cup of cold lemonade on a hot day for $25. A well-meaning adult point out to the child that that's a absurdly high price, to which the child answers that she only has to sell one cup to have a successful day.
I own 2/3 of the lowest gold CAC barber halves, both VG10 and both NGC. I made them both as part of my efforts to assemble a F-12 CAC barber half collection.
Somewhat of a goofy sticker-focused project, but I enjoy it.