Current FAKE PCGS slabs.

TorinoCobra71 · March 28, 2008 4:54AM

Does anyone have a link to a pic of these so we know what to look out for?

TC71

Placid · March 28, 2008 5:01AM

BAJJERFAN · March 28, 2008 6:36AM

So whats to stop them from sending tons of those things over here and selling them from a U.S. location. If they were to buy a roll of common date BU Morgans, slab them all as ms63 with the same valid cert number how long would it take for someone to get on to them? It seems that they might spend most of their time keeping one step ahead of their pursuit.

PerryHall · March 28, 2008 7:16AM

Comparing the 1858-O half slab with the 1800 dollar slab, I noticed that they both appear to have the same bar code.

Hugegut · March 28, 2008 7:23AM

The labels on these seem a little too white too. They don't have that blue tint like a real one.

ziggy29 · March 28, 2008 7:26AM

That 1800 Bust Dollar isn't even close. The style of the date is pathetic.

BAJJERFAN · March 28, 2008 7:27AM

So one could go to a show with a puter and a scanning pen and if you are curious about a coin scan it and see what it says in a database. I guess PCGS could set something like this up at major shows and/or authorize select dealers to do the same. It would be really helpful if the database had pix. Or one could just buy coins in other holders or get them raw and submit to PCGS.

BECOKA · March 28, 2008 7:39AM

<< <i>So one could go to a show with a puter and a scanning pen and if you are curious about a coin scan it and see what it says in a database. I guess PCGS could set something like this up at major shows and/or authorize select dealers to do the same. It would be really helpful if the database had pix. Or one could just buy coins in other holders or get them raw and submit to PCGS. >>

They have scanning software for PDA's, it would not be hard to upload PCGS's small data base and compare.

jsf · March 28, 2008 7:46AM

I don't know that I've seen any fake slabs myself, but some of the pictures I've seen posted of these appear to have particular differences in the shape of the plastic. Certain corners on the supposed fakes do not appear to be the same as those on true PCGS slabs. Does anyone else see what I'm seeing on corners in the label area?

derryb · March 28, 2008 8:09AM

Buy the coin, not the label.

lathmach · March 28, 2008 9:24AM

This counterfeit slab trouble is going to be a nightmare for PCGS.

Ray

TavernTreasures · March 28, 2008 9:44AM

You fellas pointing out to slight variation of the fake slab pictures here.....Do you think you will be able to spot a well made fake slab in the hustle and bustle of a coin show?

zodiac65 · March 28, 2008 9:49AM

Yet another good reason to seek the older PCGS green label holders.

COALPORTER · March 28, 2008 9:55AM

The labels don't say "COIN" AND "SERIES".
Don't all PCGS labels show that ?

Maybe PCGS could goto a magnetic strip, like on the back
of a credit card, instead of the bar code. The strip could
contain "secret" information that only PCGS knows about.
So the owner of the real slab would be protected too.

COALPORTER · March 28, 2008 10:00AM

Is the 58 O half real and just the slab a fake ?

zodiac65 · March 28, 2008 10:38AM

The labels don't say "COIN" AND "SERIES".
Don't all PCGS labels show that ?

No, it varies, even with the old labels. Many of the new labels do not say "Coin" and "Series".

Somebody mentioned the barcode earlier, and that may be a good diagnostic. I have a handheld device which scans pretty fast, so I may actually take it to the next show that I go to!

There are versions of PCGS slab labels where the barcode is on the reverse.

I have one other diagnostic that I've noticed for quite some time. On most slab labels that I've seen, there is a "shadow disc". The way that the hologram is positioned/affixed on the reverse, it shows a distinctive circular shadow on the front label.

Actually, the wide variety of slabs and labels that PCGS has used over the years may be our biggest help in the short term. There are several threads on this forum that document all of the styles used so far.