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Did "HL" strike again on this 1796 50¢ PCGS problem-free F15? (warning, big pic)

pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,359 ✭✭✭✭
(thread title edited to remove the possibility of the dealer's name associated with the ongoing joke to be taken seriously by others not familiar with the original thread.)

If you recall Ryk's thread here it was determined that the coin in the problem free PCGS holder was tooled/manipulated in some way, especially the stars. As a result of the thread, Don Willis made sure the coin was placed into a Genuine holder.

This 1796 half, currently for sale at Heritage here looks to also have the stars tooled. But this one is without the "HL" initials.

Mr. Willis, is this a candidate for the PCGS buyback?

image Image modified to be less massive.
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Comments

  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is going to be a very expensive buy back for PCGS
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
    yup, they sure look 'tooled' to me.

    great detective work.
    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    OH my. It's funny how the stars are the last thing you look at on an F/VF coin and you expect them to be flat. On an MS coin they are one of the first things I like to look at to check the strike. So these lines are easy to miss. I'd say it's time for a "Required Pri 1 reading assignment" for all graders. The fact that 2 got missed testifies to the ease to miss this. Just like in in proofreading the doubled word is the the most difficult error to catch. --Jerry
  • zeebobzeebob Posts: 2,825
    Is it the dark toning that indicates tooling? I don't see whiz marks. What makes the stars look tooled? Can someone post an example that isn't tooled for comparison? I would like to learn from this thread.

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭✭
    uhhhm - yeah. image
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    Reminds me of that famous phrase from Get Smart:

    "Missed it by that much"

    image
  • Yep, definitely tooled. Nice catch!
  • Once again, Harry is going to be delighted that his name was somehow connected to this.
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you all, this is good stuff.
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • mozeppamozeppa Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭
    a tad more viewable...

    image
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Is it the dark toning that indicates tooling? I don't see whiz marks. What makes the stars look tooled? Can someone post an example that isn't tooled for comparison? I would like to learn from this thread. >>



    Look how the black lines of the stars are so strong as if someone took a blade to make the details stronger.
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Is it the dark toning that indicates tooling? I don't see whiz marks. What makes the stars look tooled? Can someone post an example that isn't tooled for comparison? I would like to learn from this thread. >>





    The detail on these stars was worn off long ago. they should be flat. An overzealous jeweler courageously added lines to make the coin look nicer. --Jerry
  • mozeppamozeppa Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭
    image
  • This content has been removed.
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,276 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great find!
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That would be sooooo easy to miss!
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.


  • << <i>That would be sooooo easy to miss! >>



    Given the value of this coin, I'm guessing they won't miss it again. image
  • TreemanTreeman Posts: 419 ✭✭✭
    Is this an older slab? Reason I ask is that, if memory serves, there were a lot of old posts (on another site) where Laura was talking about PCGS putting a lot of altered, doctored, AT'd, ect. coins in slabs. This was, as I remember, the main reason for CAC starting up. I think this may be one of those "older" slabs. With the super tight grading these days, stuff like this would not get slabbed at either of the big two.
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Is this an older slab? Reason I ask is that, if memory serves, there were a lot of old posts (on another site) where Laura was talking about PCGS putting a lot of altered, doctored, AT'd, ect. coins in slabs. This was, as I remember, the main reason for CAC starting up. I think this may be one of those "older" slabs. With the super tight grading these days, stuff like this would not get slabbed at either of the big two. >>



    I believe this would be called net grading without stating the problem. It seems for high value coins PCGS would let a lot slide to get them into their holders.

    Now that the genuine service has started up there will be no more confusion. It will just take time and money to clean up their old mess.
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Is this an older slab? Reason I ask is that, if memory serves, there were a lot of old posts (on another site) where Laura was talking about PCGS putting a lot of altered, doctored, AT'd, ect. coins in slabs. This was, as I remember, the main reason for CAC starting up. I think this may be one of those "older" slabs. With the super tight grading these days, stuff like this would not get slabbed at either of the big two. >>



    I believe this would be called net grading without stating the problem. It seems for high value coins PCGS would let a lot slide to get them into their holders.

    Now that the genuine service has started up there will be no more confusion. It will just take time and money to clean up their old mess. >>



    I hear what you are saying, but a tooled coin should never be net graded. It has been permanently altered/damaged.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Perhaps just a tag change to:

    1796 50C
    PCGS F15
    16 Tooled Stars

    6058.15/06872907
  • fishteethfishteeth Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe that is a new slab, because I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year. Actually I looked at that coin several times and
    despite the damage was tempted to sell a significant part of my collection to try and buy it.

    I can't imagine there are two of these in the same grade and with similar skins floating around

    1796 in NCS holder
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,853 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe that is a new slab, because I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year. Actually I looked at that coin several times and
    despite the damage was tempted to sell a significant part of my collection to try and buy it.

    I can't imagine there are two of these in the same grade and with similar skins floating around >>



    Does this mean that NGC caught it and PCGS missed it?image



    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • JoeLewisJoeLewis Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I believe that is a new slab, because I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year. Actually I looked at that coin several times and
    despite the damage was tempted to sell a significant part of my collection to try and buy it.

    I can't imagine there are two of these in the same grade and with similar skins floating around >>



    Does this mean that NGC caught it and PCGS missed it?image >>



    POOF!!!
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year

    That's going to make this a very interesting "case". PCGS should have no problem tracking the ownership of the coin for the past year. If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • fishteethfishteeth Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The pricetag is now nearly 20,000 more than it was when offered to me in an NCS holder.
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is the same coin fishteeth.
    Great work remembering and finding the coin.
    I guess PCGS will have to take a look at this one.
    If it slipped through, bad on them...
    If it was overlooked, even worse.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,853 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year

    That's going to make this a very interesting "case". PCGS should have no problem tracking the ownership of the coin for the past year. If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>



    What if they disagreed with NCS's assessment of the coin and decided to get the expert opinion of PCGS's expert graders?


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • speetyspeety Posts: 5,424


    << <i>I believe that is a new slab, because I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year. Actually I looked at that coin several times and
    despite the damage was tempted to sell a significant part of my collection to try and buy it.

    I can't imagine there are two of these in the same grade and with similar skins floating around

    1796 in NCS holder >>




    I knew i recognized the coin, couldn't figure out where from though! Good work!
    Want to buy an auction catalog for the William Hesslein Sale (December 2, 1926). Thanks to all those who have helped us obtain the others!!!

  • fishteethfishteeth Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This coin being slabed may actually be due to PCGS starting the Genuine service.
    Think about it. You have a problem coin in an ugly NCS holder and want it in a PCGS holder.
    Why not crack it out, send it in and hope that by some miracle they are so smitten by the coin that they overlook the
    tooling and now put it in a problem free holder by mistake. Even if they catch the damage the coin will still come back
    in a PCGS Genuine holder.

  • I find it interesting ncs had the coin at VF details while PCGS has it at F15.
  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,378 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That is going to be a very expensive buy back for PCGS >>



    I hope the grading fees don't increase because of thisimageimageimage
    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)


  • << <i>If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>



    That's what happened on the 1805/4 with 'HL' cut into it.
  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,080 ✭✭✭✭✭
    From NCS VF Details to PCGS F15...I guess this proves to everyone once and for all that PCGS is the more conservative service. Right?image
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    it is coins like this that constantly makes me rethink my opinion of
    professional grading.


  • << <i>

    << <i>I believe that is a new slab, because I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year. Actually I looked at that coin several times and
    despite the damage was tempted to sell a significant part of my collection to try and buy it.

    I can't imagine there are two of these in the same grade and with similar skins floating around >>



    Does this mean that NGC caught it and PCGS missed it?image >>



    This can't possibly be true, everyone here says that PCGS is wayyyyyy better than NGC.imageimage


  • << <i>

    << <i>If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>



    That's what happened on the 1805/4 with 'HL' cut into it. >>



    Really?
  • BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    That coin is like a vampire. To kill it,

    one must drive a metal spike thru it.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year

    That's going to make this a very interesting "case". PCGS should have no problem tracking the ownership of the coin for the past year. If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>


    That makes absolutely no sense to me.


  • << <i>Really? >>



    Yes.
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Darn - if only there were some company taking a second look at all these slabbed coins and separating the wheat from the chaffe. image
  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Reminds me of that famous phrase from Get Smart:

    "Missed it by that much"

    image >>






    image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    Wow. That's a good idea. A company doing second looks at slabbed coins!

    We could call it the Numismatic Assurance Department. A catchy acronym is important.

    But, how would you tell that a slabbed coin was approved by the NAD?

    There would have to be some sort of mark. Or note. Or indication. Or something.



    All kidding aside...it's sick what has been done to these coins.

    Was there ever a time this sort of chisel based enhancement was considered "acceptible" or was the person doing it just evil.

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,824 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good work Rob and Chris!
    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,308 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year

    That's going to make this a very interesting "case". PCGS should have no problem tracking the ownership of the coin for the past year. If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>


    Also, if Heritage determines that the buyer of the NCS coin is selling the PCGS coin through them, they may also rain unpleasantries unto the consignor.


  • << <i>

    << <i>I saw that coin in an NCS holder last year

    That's going to make this a very interesting "case". PCGS should have no problem tracking the ownership of the coin for the past year. If they can prove that the person submitting the coin to PCGS knew about the problem, they may have recourse against that person. >>


    Also, if Heritage determines that the buyer of the NCS coin is selling the PCGS coin through them, they may also rain unpleasantries unto the consignor. >>


    What if an agent of Heritage bought the coin and is selling it through Heritage? image
  • TreemanTreeman Posts: 419 ✭✭✭
    Let me see if I got this right...
    NGC knew it was tooled,
    PCGS didn't notice it,
    PCGS is still better,
    and the fault lies with the submitter and Heritage!
    Pass the Kool-Aid, I must be thirsty....
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
  • Darn - if only there were some company taking a second look at all these slabbed coins and separating the wheat from the chaffe.

    Fantastic idea. Now let's see, such a company could charge fees for taking the second look, and even charge as much or more per coin that the TPG -- and yet the company could still shift the blame..er..uh..financial liability for any mistakes (even the ones the company missed itself) onto the original TPG. Hey, they could even say it's for the sole benefit of collectors, and not for the money, because they would give second opinions for free to collectors who trek themselves and shlep their coins to the one remote location each year that's the most convenient for the company. Cool! Financial rewards with minimal liability! image
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    I wonder if it was cracked out of the NCS holder before it was submitted. image

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