Newbie advice please

bennyb

Hi,

I have been enjoying reading the boards and feel like I've learned a lot.
Maybe not enough though, so on with my question.
I bought a PCGS slab on ebay (here we go...) a 1963 PR69 DCAM 10c. The auction photo wasn't very big, but, hey, it's slabbed right? Well, I received it and two problems. One, looks like somebody shot the slab with a BB gun. OK, didn't pay for insurance. My fault. But there is also a big hazy spot on the coin (both sides).
Pic1
The cert numbers match the photo in the auction (which in retrospect, I guess you can see a spot - I assumed it was the holder).
The auction shot of the reverse didn't show the spot due to reflections Actual and auction

I'm really just trying to learn here. So how can a coin with a big hazy spot like that get graded PR69DCAM? And if I break it out and re-submit I assume it will not regrade PR69.
Any ideas what happened to this coin (to get the spot)? The seller doesn't answer my emails.

Thanks

Ben

cosmos66

Sorry but your image links dont seem to work. I get an error message when I click on them.

razorface1027

Same here!

bennyb

Shoot...

Pics aren't coming through. Anybody help me with posting pics. I tried scouring the archives. Signed up for Imagestation. Pics are the right size, albeit slightly blurry. Seems that Imagestation doesn't let you in...

Thanks

Russ

<< <i>So how can a coin with a big hazy spot like that get graded PR69DCAM? >>



Images aren't loading for me either, but I can tell you that I've seen many, many proof 69 coins with spots or haze. It is likely that the problem developed after the coin was holdered. That, however, does not excuse the seller from leaving the problem out of the description.

Russ, NCNE

fcloud

Bennyb,

Welcome to the boards.

cosmos66

<< <i>Shoot...

Pics aren't coming through. Anybody help me with posting pics. I tried scouring the archives. Signed up for Imagestation. Pics are the right size, albeit slightly blurry. Seems that Imagestation doesn't let you in...

Thanks >>



When you go to reply to a message you will see an option at the bottom of the screen to attach files. Once you click on that link you will have to upload the pics from your computer. The drawback is that they cannot be any bigger than 50k. Good luck!

Paul in Pine Hill

Placid

You can send it to pcgs in the holder for grade guarantee review if you are a member.

bennyb

let's try this...

cosmos66

Those pics worked. You can see the haze on the ebay pic but I wonder what happened to the slab enroute. That reallys sucks rhino!!

Paul in Pine Hill

Placid

Looks almost like a fingerprint. No I don't think that would make a pr69dcam if graded again.

Russ

Benny,

I hate to say this, but that auction pic makes the problem glaringly obvious. I'm afraid the seller is off the hook on this one, and you're just going to have to chock it up as a tuition payment. As for the cracked slab, that might be another issue if the packaging was inadequate.

Russ, NCNE

tsacch

go for the insurance next time........and possibly inquire as to how the item will be shipped. I prefer a ton of wrapping on expensive coins..........

mintluster

OUCH!
If it makes you feel any better, this same sort of thing has happened to me before some years ago when I first started buying slabbed coins on eBay. I always go with Sellers who offer a 7 or 10+ day money back guarantee. It helps when you see the coin and do not want to keep it.

elwood

How was the coin packaged? What was it wrapped in?
Does the seller have a return policy?
Whether you bought insurance or not the coin should have been packaged properly.
I think the seller is responsible for the coin getting to you in the same condition as when you where bidding on it.

bennyb

Thanks for the replies.

The coin was packed in cardboard inside a 4x7 padded mailer. There was no obvious external damage. Still have the mailer.

Lessons...
1) Insurance. No brainer.
2) A return policy by seller. Although feedback 99.5% (191 feedbacks).
3) Geez, look at the spot on the auction photo... I didn't realize that a spot like that can develop after slabbing. That's why I assumed it was on the slab. A PR69 DCAM! Where did I read "buy the coin not the slab"?

A couple of final questions... What do I do with such a coin? Can I send it to PCGS for re-slabbing? Buy a piece of gum?
Also, what about ebay feedback? I accept that a lesson learned for me... (A $64 lesson - could have been a good deal). A response to my emails would have been nice. They were very prompt asking for payment and gave me good feedback.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Ben

fountainheadgold

A big WELCOME TO THE BOARDS

elwood

I wouldn't do anything until you get a reply from the seller.

BigAl

If you get nowhere with the seller, I think you can send it to pcgs to be reholdered, I think it runs about $15.

CarlWohlforth

I assume it wasn't packaged well. It costs $5 to have the coin reholdered, but return shipping by registered mail would be $11.50. Perhaps someone can send it in for you which would help by spreading the shipping costs over several coins?

Shamika

Welcome to the Forum!


Has it not occurred to anyone that the seller might have damaged the slab himself?

He may have known that the buyer would want to return the coin due to the haze, so he may think that if he damages the slab, he can refuse to accept a return and blame it on the post office.

I do agree, however, that you can take several lessons away from this transaction.

Senlathiel

May we know the name of the ebay seller? Not to boycott him, but just to be a little more wary. I think that smudge should of been in the item description.

Edit to add: Before I buy any coin off ebay, I do an advanced search of this forum for the name of the ebay seller--it has come in handy a time or two--sometimes someone has had something to say about a previous purchase.

NoGvmnt

"Has it not occurred to anyone that the seller might have damaged the slab himself? "

The same thought crossed my mind considering the placement of the damage and the way the cracks radiate from the impact it just doesn't look like a stress fracture such as would be imparted from postal machinery.

But, here is the RULE benny, whenever there is any type of glare covvering any part of the coin, ALWAYS CONTACT/QUESTION THE SELLER BEFORE PLACING A BID!!! ALWAYS!

Jim

airplanenut

If you send it to PCGS under the grading guarantee, they'll at reslab it regardless... they'll probably also replace it for you, since that's a 69 in no way at all.

Welcome aboard!

Jeremy

EvilMCT

Hopefully you can work something out with the seller. Welcome to the boards.

Ken