Its called a "collection" number...

Coin Finder

Old collection number inked in obverse field..... see picture below. I have seen other Darkside coins with these numbers on them.

Does anyone know the origin of this practice?

Does anyone know if PCGS will slab and grade coins like this?

Thanks

Sapyx

The practice originates from the early days of coin collecting: before slabs, before 2x2s, before any other viable means of attaching information to a particular item such as one can do today simply by writing on a 2x2 or on a card inserted into a coin flip. From a time when every collector, dealer and museum kept their coins in "coin cabinets", drawers with recessed holes cut into them, to put the coins into.

The number told the owner which drawer and position the coin belonged in, so they could put it back in its proper place. It also allowed you to keep a reference catalogue of your collection and to easily look up all the information about that coin simply by looking up the catalogue number written on the coin.

I assume a TPG won't slab a coin with ink on it. The conservation services might remove the ink, but the "writing" might still be visible even if the ink is removed, due to differential toning of the metal itself.

I personally wouldn't remove such markings - they are a part of the coin's history now, and tangible evidence of the coin's early providence - something which might come in handy if, for example, you ever needed to prove in court that your ancient coins had been in collections for over a century, rather than illegally dug up last week.

worldcoinguy

This is an interesting topic that has come up a few times on the forum. Search 'ink' and you will get some results for past threads. I recall asking the same when there were some talers in pcgs/ngc holders a few years back.

I would love to see more examples.

TwoKopeiki

Personally, not a huge fan of museum numbers, but definitely adds to the history of the coin. As WCG mentioned in his post, TPGs certify them, but only after the original ink or pencil residue has been removed. Acetone works well for that. But even conserved, the numbers are visible due to difference in toning.

cecropiamoth

There was very recently a 1771 Russian Rouble straight graded by NGC at XF45 in one of Heritage's weekly world & ancients auctions. The coin looks to have an old ink museum mark in the right obverse field. I think it is numbered 23,2. The ink shows much darker in the NGC photo from their cert lookup page. The Heritage cataloger did not make mention of the museum mark in the coin description. I have added two links for you below.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/russia/world-coins/russia-catherine-ii-rouble-1771-xf45-ngc-/a/231646-63394.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4254403-003/

Jeff

cacheman

The original posting example looks like it was written with a 'Sharpie' and could be removed with acetone easily enough. I have an example here: karlgoetzmedals.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=584

The number on the reverse appears to have been written with a fountain pen. I have decided not to remove it in fear that there may be scratches under the ink caused by the sharpness of the 'quill' when writing the number. This is an iron piece so I am not worried about patina discrepancies if it were removed.

farthing

The coins above were lot 2154 of the recent Baldwin's Basement Sale #3 and have been in Baldwin's possession for nearly a century.

I also have a few Conder tokens that have collection numbers. One of the collectors that inked numbers have been traced back to is D. T. Batty who used India Ink and used large, bold numbers on his tokens.

TwoKopeiki

Here's one that sold last August at Stacks Hong Kong Auction: