Are PCGS photos without backgrounds "TrueViews"?

Zoins

I've been seeing more PCGS coin photos with a plain white background as opposed to the standard TrueView background.

I was wondering if these photos are taken with the same care and technique. Or are these photos done differently than the TrueViews?

Can these photos be considered TrueViews or are they something else?

ModCrewman

My assumption has always been that the TV quality photos that are taken, are ones being added to CoinFacts for which the submitter did not request a TV photo.

TwoKopeiki

There are 3 sets of images at PCGS: True View with the proper background, Coin Facts - TV quality on the white background, and Secure Plus low-res images.

MilkmanDan

Don't know how new this is or of anyone else noticed, but PCGS has added the coinfacts picture (blank white background) to the cert page of many coins. I checked a few of my coins recently and was surprised to see the large coinfacts picture showing up on the cert page.

Edit to say, I am a huge fan of this decision, thank you PCGS.

Zoins

Good to know and "CoinFacts" is a good way to refer to those photos.

I knew they were used for CoinFacts and cert verification but didn't think to refer to them that way.

PCGSPhoto

Yes, TrueView images and CoinFacts images are essentially the same. The system displays the PCGS background for people who have purchased TrueView pics, and the system subtracts it for coins that appear on CoinFacts. SecurePlus pics also have white backgrounds (but no drop shadow) and are lower res, but I've been helping out trying to improve their quality, and they've come a long way in that regard.

TwoKopeiki

<< <i>Yes, TrueView images and CoinFacts images are essentially the same. The system displays the PCGS background for people who have purchased TrueView pics, and the system subtracts it for coins that appear on CoinFacts. SecurePlus pics also have white backgrounds (but no drop shadow) and are lower res, but I've been helping out trying to improve their quality, and they've come a long way in that regard. >>



Phil, just wanted to echo the comment above about the addition of CoinFacts images to the certification page - great decision by PCGS and thank you again for the outstanding image quality

Zoins

<< <i>Yes, TrueView images and CoinFacts images are essentially the same. The system displays the PCGS background for people who have purchased TrueView pics, and the system subtracts it for coins that appear on CoinFacts. SecurePlus pics also have white backgrounds (but no drop shadow) and are lower res, but I've been helping out trying to improve their quality, and they've come a long way in that regard. >>



Thanks Phil. That's a great answer. Keep up the excellent work!

One other question. If a CoinFacts image is taken, is it possible to order a TrueView using the CoinFacts image without resubmitting the coin?

PCGSPhoto

<< <i>
One other question. If a CoinFacts image is taken, is it possible to order a TrueView using the CoinFacts image without resubmitting the coin? >>



I've recently been asked this question. The problem we have is that if someone calls us up asking to order a photo we have no way of knowing if the person asking for it actually owns the coin. Once we figure that out it would be a simple matter to get a TrueView online. Hopefully we can do this in the near future.

WingedLiberty1957

This is all great info! Thanks for this.

I have a question.

Is PCGS shooting CoinFacts images (which are almost of TrueView quality) for ALL coins submitted ... or just for the ones that the photo dept or the grader think are especially pretty or nice?

Is a CoinFacts photo becoming an included part (or perk) of the standard grading service that PCGS offers.

Zoins

<< <i>

<< <i>One other question. If a CoinFacts image is taken, is it possible to order a TrueView using the CoinFacts image without resubmitting the coin? >>



I've recently been asked this question. The problem we have is that if someone calls us up asking to order a photo we have no way of knowing if the person asking for it actually owns the coin. Once we figure that out it would be a simple matter to get a TrueView online. Hopefully we can do this in the near future. >>



Thanks Phil. I agree this is an important issue to solve. Here are some possible solutions that come to mind:

(1) Having qualified PCGS dealers vouch for the coin's owner

(2) Having the coin shown to a PCGS rep at a show where PCGS is doing onsite grading

Whatever solution you come up with, I'm sure it will be very workable.

Cheers.

19Lyds

<< <i>

<< <i>
One other question. If a CoinFacts image is taken, is it possible to order a TrueView using the CoinFacts image without resubmitting the coin? >>



I've recently been asked this question. The problem we have is that if someone calls us up asking to order a photo we have no way of knowing if the person asking for it actually owns the coin. Once we figure that out it would be a simple matter to get a TrueView online. Hopefully we can do this in the near future. >>

How about my 70-D Washington DDO FS-101 in AU55?

CoinFacts Page



I've got the submission paperwork on cert 15405546. Only one other PCGS DDO FS-101 out there, an AU-50, and it sold on Heritage on Jan 8th, 2012

PCGSPhoto

<< <i>This is all great info! Thanks for this.

I have a question.

Is PCGS shooting CoinFacts images (which are almost of TrueView quality) for ALL coins submitted ... or just for the ones that the photo dept or the grader think are especially pretty or nice?

Is a CoinFacts photo becoming an included part (or perk) of the standard grading service that PCGS offers. >>



We can't photograph all the coins that come through our doors, but the graders do pick out some choice coins, and the system does automatically flag others. A CoinFacts photo is, I guess, an added perk.



<< <i>How about my 70-D Washington DDO FS-101 in AU55?

CoinFacts Page



I've got the submission paperwork on cert 15405546. Only one other PCGS DDO FS-101 out there, an AU-50, and it sold on Heritage on Jan 8th, 2012 >>



This does seem bona fide, but like I said this question has only recently come up and we need to work out the fine details of doing something such as this.

Steve

<< <i>I've been seeing more PCGS coin photos with a plain white background as opposed to the standard TrueView background.

I was wondering if these photos are taken with the same care and technique. Or are these photos done differently than the TrueViews?

Can these photos be considered TrueViews or are they something else? >>



During the first quarter 2012 Collectors Club quarterly promotion I submitted my nine coin matte proof Lincoln cents for True View and for reholders into the new prong slabs. All nine of my coins were surprisingly (to me) added to Coin Facts pictures under their respective dates with the plain white background. Of course, each of these same coins also have the TrueView standard background and were downloaded to me. I now have those pictures on my own harddrive as well as viewing on line at Coin Facts, my Set Registry and certification verification. I was very pleased with that whole process and Phil was a big part in making it all happen.
Steve