Hypothetical question---What if a major collection of PCGS coins with the Secure Plus sticker were s
PerryHall
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The theory is that they would have a better chance of recovery since the coin's fingerprints are in the PCGS data base. So, what's to prevent the thief from just cracking all the coins out of their slabs and altering their appearances by adding bag marks, harshly cleaning them, or even just melting them for their precious metal content. Most thieves aren't stupid. I realize that this would greatly reduce the collection's value but most thieves would rather get a small fraction of what they are worth than a long stretch in prison. Your thoughts?
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
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That would be a tough call to make.. At least I think so
your thoughs are ???
Also in the sticky DW answers,
Coinasaurus,
Once a coin is scanned into the database, what happens if it is cracked and substantially "reworked?" Will you still be able to match the coin with the database entry? I'm assuming you tried this during testing, just wondering how much a coin can be worked over before it fails to match.
DW,
Coinasaurus - we reworked a lot of coins in our testing. We actually had to rework the coin to the point of destroying it before it would not be recognized.
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
<< <i>The theory is that they would have a better chance of recovery since the coin's fingerprints are in the PCGS data base. So, what's to prevent the thief from just cracking all the coins out of their slabs and altering their appearances by adding bag marks, harshly cleaning them, or even just melting them for their precious metal content. Most thieves aren't stupid and if they got away with stealing the coins, they are probably smarter than the coin's original owner. I realize that this would greatly reduce the collection's value but most thieves would rather get a small fraction of what they are worth than a long stretch in prison. Your thoughts? >>
My thoughts are that your premise is flawed in a number of ways.
Melting the coins might work out fine for the thief in some instances, but in many others, the gold or silver content of the coins represents only a tiny fraction of the value. And, as you noted, intentionally damaging the coins would obviously substantially diminish their worth.
Also, many thieves wouldn't even know about "Secure Plus" in order to try to avoid its ability to recognize coins.
Lastly, while you might be right about most thieves not being stupid, there are many extremely intelligent people who have had coins stolen through no fault or neglect of their own. So, your "they are probably smarter than the coin's original owner" is an overly broad insult to many victims of coin theft.
<< <i>The theory is that they would have a better chance of recovery since the coin's fingerprints are in the PCGS data base. So, what's to prevent the thief from just cracking all the coins out of their slabs and altering their appearances by adding bag marks, harshly cleaning them, or even just melting them for their precious metal content. Most thieves aren't stupid and if they got away with stealing the coins, they are probably smarter than the coin's original owner. I realize that this would greatly reduce the collection's value but most thieves would rather get a small fraction of what they are worth than a long stretch in prison. Your thoughts? >>
If you read Don Willis' thread, he explains that adding marks to the coin will not fool the system.
<< <i>Lastly, while you might be right about most thieves not being stupid, there are many extremely intelligent people who have had coins stolen through no fault or neglect of their own. So, your "they are probably smarter than the coin's original owner" is an overly broad insult to many victims of coin theft. >>
You're right and I took that part out of my post. Sorry about that.
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
<< <i>
<< <i>Lastly, while you might be right about most thieves not being stupid, there are many extremely intelligent people who have had coins stolen through no fault or neglect of their own. So, your "they are probably smarter than the coin's original owner" is an overly broad insult to many victims of coin theft. >>
You're right and I took that part out of my post. Sorry about that.
Thank you. And I posted what I did, not having had any coins stolen.
<< <i>
<< <i>The theory is that they would have a better chance of recovery since the coin's fingerprints are in the PCGS data base. So, what's to prevent the thief from just cracking all the coins out of their slabs and altering their appearances by adding bag marks, harshly cleaning them, or even just melting them for their precious metal content. Most thieves aren't stupid. I realize that this would greatly reduce the collection's value but most thieves would rather get a small fraction of what they are worth than a long stretch in prison. Your thoughts? >>
If you read Don Willis' thread, he explains that adding marks to the coin will not fool the system. >>
I was thinking about removing light scuff and small contact marks by buffing the coins. Of course the coin's value would be greatly reduced, but the chance of the coins being traced back to a robbery would be eliminated.
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
<< <i>Since Perry was nice enough to rework his comment, maybe the others who posted about it should too
But the OP still has the original comment in his reply to my post.