Yeah, I had a couple shield nickels in Hallmark slabs. They were graded correctly, maybe even a little undergraded.
Andy
We are finite beings, limited in all our powers, and, hence, our conclusions are not only relative, but they should ever be held subject to correction. Positive assurance is unattainable. The dogmatist is the only one who claims to possess absolute certainty.
I Love the Lincolns (65+) I Like the Washingtons (65+) I Am beginning to enjoy old halve dollar commemoratives (65+)
I will be President of the United States in 2020
"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Actually I think Hallmark was around before PCI, though I'm not exactly sure..
We are finite beings, limited in all our powers, and, hence, our conclusions are not only relative, but they should ever be held subject to correction. Positive assurance is unattainable. The dogmatist is the only one who claims to possess absolute certainty.
Hallmark was the original PCI. I believe Bowers (yes, that Bowers) had something to do with the company, but they sold out, and PCI took over. My details are sketchy, so anyone in the know, please correct them if they are inaccurate. Hallmark, for the most part, did a good job with grading.
It is a scan from my HP 7400c, make the right adjustments and you would be surprised at how good of a picture you can get especially with this scanner which has two sensors. The first is for scans of 600dpi or less and the second is a staggered pixel sensor for scans up to 2400dpi which helps insure the purest reproduction of color. Here is the reverse.
I was actually referring to the one in the auction however. There's some subtle rim toning - that led me to believe it might be better than it appears.
This is mostly just speculation from having spent some time shooting this:
The toning is definitely there in person - but tough to capture. I know MY scanner wouldn't do it justice in the least. Sounds like yours is a much better scanner.
Hallmark was formed by Dave Bowers and Lee Ballisario in Woburn MA in late 1987. (I believe shortly before the formation of NGC.) They closed their doors in late 1991 and PCI purchased their shell stock and sealing dies etc. PCI debuted their new Hallmark style holder at the 1992 FUN show.
Personally I think most of the Hallmark slabs have been broken out by now. They seem to be becoming scarce. I see very few of them anymore. I have run across them in auctions though listed as PCI slabs because many collectors today have only seen those distinctive shells as PCI holders and they don't realize that another company once used them.
Comments
Andy
First POTD 9/19/05!!
~Wilson
I Like the Washingtons (65+)
I Am beginning to enjoy old halve dollar commemoratives (65+)
I will be President of the United States in 2020
"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~Henry David Thoreau
First POTD 9/19/05!!
I want to say that Hallmark was a B&M company, but I'm not positive. I'm sure that Condor101 will see this thread and post the exact facts.
Hallmark, for the most part, did a good job with grading.
LSCC#1864
Ebay Stuff
admittedly neophytic opinion.
I'm wondering if it's a scan or a photo...
a scan likely wouldn't show the rim toning as well -
Gotta admit, I LIKE IT!
It is a scan from my HP 7400c, make the right adjustments and you would be surprised at how good of a picture you can get especially with this scanner which has two sensors. The first is for scans of 600dpi or less and the second is a staggered pixel sensor for scans up to 2400dpi which helps insure the purest reproduction of color. Here is the reverse.
I was actually referring to the one in the auction however.
There's some subtle rim toning - that led me to believe it might be better than it appears.
This is mostly just speculation from having spent some time shooting this:
The toning is definitely there in person - but tough to capture.
I know MY scanner wouldn't do it justice in the least. Sounds like yours is a much better scanner.
Personally I think most of the Hallmark slabs have been broken out by now. They seem to be becoming scarce. I see very few of them anymore. I have run across them in auctions though listed as PCI slabs because many collectors today have only seen those distinctive shells as PCI holders and they don't realize that another company once used them.