PCGS Slabs with brown/copper spots

M

Wondering if anybody else has received or purchased slabbed PCGS coins lately with brown or copper spots in the plastic? I found this on several of the 75th anniversary silver eagle sets I purchased from retailers, both Mercanti label and Flag label. I have never seen this prior to 2012 issues. I also saw them on a PCGS slabbed UHR for sale on ebay. Sorry I could not post a good picture but you can see the spots a bit. Is this debris already in the plastic used to slab or does the spotting occur during the process?

1Mike1

I have not purchased or received any but have spotted (no pun intended) a few on ebay when searching for Lincolns.

LindeDad

Dirt ground into the plastic from being stacked I have found to be quit common. Had to polish a lot found that was coming in on consignment.

M

Makes sense I guess but these look to be imbedded in the plastic too deeply to be polished out. The ones I had that were the worst had spots in the middle, looked at first to be on the coins but with a magnifier could see they were in the plastic itself. I'm sure PCGS would reholder them, just haven't seen this issue before.

LindeDad

The center of the lens seems to be the high point on the slab all it takes is a grit of sand or heavy dust laying direct on a glass surface and it can be ground in.

epcjimi1

<< <i>Makes sense I guess but these look to be imbedded in the plastic ...with a magnifier could see they were in the plastic itself. >>



I work at a company that molds plastic containers. Dirt, grease, foreign objects in the final molded product are common. Sometimes the virgin plastic resin is contaminated from the get-go, sometimes it's introduced into the molding process by a variety of practices. I doubt the slabs are molded in a clean room, sterile facility, the slabs are probably molded in a typical manufacturing environment.

lkeigwin

Yes, I have seen holders with small dark spots on the inside of the slab. Not common but it has happened.

I don't think they develop. I am guessing they were there originally.
Lance.

M

Thanks for the replies. I don't see any of this grit in the older slabs so it made me curious. Also, I only see it on "dealer" purchased slabs (different facility perhaps)?

leothelyon

<< <i>The center of the lens seems to be the high point on the slab all it takes is a grit of sand or heavy dust laying direct on a glass surface and it can be ground in.

>>



So true! While I prefer PCGS's grading expertise, I also prefer the new ANACS holder. Now....if I can get PCGS's opinion
on an ANACS holder (coin included) I think a whole new market would be on the horizon.

Did someone say, "sticker"?

Shamika

Somebody at PCGS should be catching these and contacting the supplier of these inserts.