THE QUESTION "WHY?"

TWODOGS

This is an addendum to my tampering thread. Many people asked why someone would bother to tamper with a common date Walker in 65. The answer is that any good scam artist knows that greed is usually what gets you busted. Why do more people counterfeit $20 bills, rather than $100? When they get access to person's checkbook, why do they write $50 or $100 checks rather than 2 or $3,000 checks? It doesn't draw the attention.

The slabbed coin in question was a 1946-D in MS-65. Greysheet Bid for this is $82. Now say that someone has an eighth rate grading service, (Billy-Bob's Coin Grading. BBCG.) or a person has the equipment, slab sealer, and so forth. Wouldn't it be VERY profitable if they could open someone else's slab for a high end 65, slab it as a 66, or 67 in their own slab, or have a looser grading company grade it for them? Not only that, but reseal the other slab with an AU-58 or MS-63 even, and sell that on eBay? There's an awful lot of people buying the slabs and not the coins out there. It wouldn't draw a lot of attention.

I'm not saying that this is going on, but in this day and age, it is certainly possible. Especially, with the newer NGC design. PGCS slabs, the halves are inserted one into the other. It would be virtually impossible to do what I have described, and not have it easily detected.

If nothing else, I believe that NGC should redesign this newer version of their slab.

dragon

Twodogs,

What you say makes sense about being greedy, however, I don't think anyone is going to go through the trouble of "making" $80.00 coins considering the time involved.

It would seem far more likely to be done on coins with a huge price spread between grades or more expensive coins IMO.

dragon

TWODOGS

I agree to a point, dragon. But if they are set up to do it in a time efficient manner, they are not only going to jump the removed coin into a much higher price bracket, they are going to reap a good profit from a lower grade coin in a 65 holder with no grading fees. Double dipping, and nothing goes to waste.

With that groove going all the way around the newer NGC slabs, I believe it invites trouble.

Coinosaurus

I can definitely see slab counterfeiting coming, what the services may have to do is open little kiosks on show floors that let you type in the slab number to see if it is good or not........

Flash

I've always said that if I was going to counterfeit currency, to hell with $20's. I'm going to make ones and fives! Unless they're obvious fakes, people rarely scrutinize them to check for counterfeits.

coinguy1

It is my understanding that the newer NGC holders cannot be opened without it being evident. My very limited experience in opening them has borne this out.

braddick

I haven't seen a counterfeit or tampered Slab (other than the "fun" ACG Liberty Nickel ANACONDA used to own) since late 1989 when PCGS had a problem with someone replicating their holders. Prison time did away with further attempts along with some modifications on PCGS's part.

braddick

-As I recall it was the paper insert font that gave them away.

Dog97

WHY?
Well if I were a scammer I'd start with the cheap ones to practice on.
Braddick the other diagnostic was the shell molding tabs were a little different.