PCGS slab defect - systemic manufacturing issue?
messydesk
Posts: 20,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
While looking at Heritage, I ran across this image that reminds me of problems I've seen before on PCGS slabs. Small, square scuff marks around the center of the plastic on either side, even on slabs that have no other scuff marks. This is an extreme example, as it looks to have several (no fewer than 8), where I ususally only see one, maybe two. They're not easily polished out, either, compared to the usual wear and tear scuffs. Does anyone have an explanation for these? I assume our host is aware of the problem, since it's been around for a long time, but is it something that's avoidable?
John
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
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If you were the supplier/manufacturer would you really throw that away for a couple cosmetic blemishes?
<< <i>something that moves the slab around? >>
Wouldn't they use some sort of suction cup device for that?
<< <i>
<< <i>something that moves the slab around? >>
Wouldn't they use some sort of suction cup device for that? >>
I cannot imagine that an item that is individually graded would be handled by some mass moving machinery.
<< <i>Piss poor QC on the part of the manufacturer, but then again it doesn't reduce functionality. Looks like maybe a dirty mold issue to me.
If you were the supplier/manufacturer would you really throw that away for a couple cosmetic blemishes? >>
I'm not sure it's simply a dirty mold. The blemishes are always square, always the same size, and they move around a little in the center. If I were supplying these to PCGS and told they were going to be rejected if received with this defect, damn straight I'd throw them out without shipping, because otherwise, they'd come back.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>something that moves the slab around? >>
Wouldn't they use some sort of suction cup device for that? >>
I cannot imagine that an item that is individually graded would be handled by some mass moving machinery. >>
perhaps before pcgs got it?
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>Have you guys ever notice how your PCGS slabs get all scratched up when you place them on a flat surface, like any table, and let them slid around? Why....that just spells disaster to the faces of your slabs.
The worst offenders are the auction houses... they put 20-40 slabs in single row box w/o dividers and every slab is banging and sliding directly across the adjacent slabs at all times. When you figure that they are shipped all over the country this way, then pulled in and out of those boxes hundreds of times during lot viewing, usually without any special care, it isn't that hard to see why so many slabs that you get from the major auctions needs lots of polishing just to look presentable.
But back to the OP, I too have seen those little square marks on my slabs, even on new ones straight from PCGS and they are very difficult to polish off indeed. Haven't complained about them before as I guessed that wouldn't get me very far...
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<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>something that moves the slab around? >>
Wouldn't they use some sort of suction cup device for that? >>
I cannot imagine that an item that is individually graded would be handled by some mass moving machinery. >>
These defects occurred during the shell manufacturing process rather that during the coin, label, and shell assembly process.
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"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
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<< <i>It 'appears' to be formed from ejection contact when molding is completed. Item must be 'pushed' out of the mold. Cheers, RickO >>
This was my initial thought as well, but sure doesn't make sense to put the ejector pins on a prime surface and doesn't explain the multiple square marks in a small area. Normally, ejector pins are spaced out further than that and in a less obvious area.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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<< <i>What kind of contact does the sonic welder make to the slab during sealing? >>
The sonic welders I used to make auto parts would make contact around the perimeter of the part. I presume the contact area is around the perimeter of the slab. The easy way to tell is to crack a slab apart and look for the welds..
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>something that moves the slab around? >>
Wouldn't they use some sort of suction cup device for that? >>
I cannot imagine that an item that is individually graded would be handled by some mass moving machinery. >>
perhaps before pcgs got it? >>
This. At the manufacturer not at the sealing station.
<< <i>I wonder if the Chinese have similar problems with their PCGS slabs? >>
Nice curve!
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>
<< <i>I wonder if the Chinese have similar problems with their PCGS slabs? >>
Nice curve!
Actually I would think with the mass numbers of them that PCGS uses where do you think the blanks are made?
Most likely they have an odd metal fatigue (or simply damage) happening in those areas since the clear surfaces over the coin area and the insert area are chromed in the mold to achieve a repeatable, "glassy" surface. The grainy, textured areas of the slab have had a industry-standard Rawal texture applied to the mold.