Fake PCGS holders
Since my comments/questions in the linked thread were apparently invisible to the human eye, I'll ask the question here.
Is there a problem currently in the market with fake PCGS holders? I recall back in the late 80's a California dealer got into this game and promptly went to jail. I'd sure like to hear some more details about what's going on with this issue.
Braddick's original thread
Is there a problem currently in the market with fake PCGS holders? I recall back in the late 80's a California dealer got into this game and promptly went to jail. I'd sure like to hear some more details about what's going on with this issue.
Braddick's original thread

0
Comments
<< <i>Since my comments/questions in the linked thread were apparently invisible to the human eye, I'll ask the question here.
Is there a problem currently in the market with fake PCGS holders? I recall back in the late 80's a California dealer got into this game and promptly went to jail. I'd sure like to hear some more details about what's going on with this issue.
Braddick's original thread >>
Yes to the counterfeit holders, some of them with lower grade genuine coins and others with counterfeit coins. I believe that Gary Fernandez is the person you were speaking about.
There are many threads discussing fakes on eBay with fake slabs.
A recent one was so good that the barcode even matched the original found on another site's archives.
It is a problem. People are discussing it. Just not as much as a recently returned person such as yourself would think seeing what isn't talked about here right now.
I think the issue is a little talked out at the moment for a few reasons:- Lot's of talk before your return has led to...
- Fear that there are people out there, the customers or the manu, reading this stuff to improve the fakes
- The one fake with the first good barcode I've seen discussed on here has given even more reason to go quiet on pointing out the problems with the fakes
- Finally, Anything that can be made by people can be counterfeited by other people. So, who can stop it with new slab ideas or pointing out why the slab is an obvious fake?
- More talk has just been rehashing the same points already made.
My prediction is the same as what is likely in your mind.... It's only going to get worse and something needs to be done.
But...
anything that is made can be faked....
(see the Big One thread for lots and lots of ideas about what to do with the counterfeiting coins and slabs problem)
yes, it has been for last couple of years
PCGS helped nail a guy in last 6 months for selling PCGS slabs with right documentation but spilt coins on inside
It depends what you call a problem - if a slab says XF45 and the coin looks MS60 to you,
do you consider that a score, a rip, or a pass?
<< <i>Since my comments/questions in the linked thread were apparently invisible to the human eye, I'll ask the question here.
Is there a problem currently in the market with fake PCGS holders? I recall back in the late 80's a California dealer got into this game and promptly went to jail. I'd sure like to hear some more details about what's going on with this issue.
Braddick's original thread >>
Sounds like he's out and up to his old routine.
Perhaps the 'big one' coming on the 25th will address this issue.
I could see someone with the means to reproduce such holders and a bit of numismatic knowledge causing havoc in the marketplace. Know a high end 1881-O Morgan from a low end one in 64, slip it into a 65 holder, sell it for a tidy profit and go on to the next score. Keep the greed to a minimum (greed is what got the guy in the late 80's busted) and it would be hard to detect and disrupt such activities. I'm sure this is high on PCGS's radar screen.
you'll find out what PCGS is doing about the issue on the 25th.
<< <i>you'll find out what PCGS is doing about the issue on the 25th. >>
I truly hope this is the case, but initial guesses in this area were dismissed by HRH in his thread about the "big one."