Why can't I find this barber half in the PCGS database?

csdot · May 25, 2015 7:36AM

It's a 1909 Barber half dollar with certification number 25373809. I've looked it up several times and keep getting the result that it is not in the PCGS system? Is it a fake, or am I doing something wrong in my search?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-Barber-Half-Dollar-PCGS-MS-64-Lafayette-Rarities-1161-/271867495833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4c90c599

Thanks.

Here is the message I received:

We're sorry. That PCGS Cert Number was not found in our database. Please double check the number and try again. To speak with PCGS Customer Service, call us at 1-800-447-8848.

LindeDad · May 25, 2015 7:53AM

Call during normal work hours .

Ronny · May 25, 2015 9:34AM

<< It's a 1909 Barber half dollar with certification number 25373809. I've looked it up several times and keep getting the result that it is not in the PCGS system? Is it a fake, or am I doing something wrong in my search?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-Barber-Half-Dollar-PCGS-MS-64-Lafayette-Rarities-1161-/271867495833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4c90c599

Thanks.

Here is the message I received:

We're sorry. That PCGS Cert Number was not found in our database. Please double check the number and try again. To speak with PCGS Customer Service, call us at 1-800-447-8848. >>

+1, so weird!

Cheers, RonO

TomB · May 25, 2015 10:01AM

It is most likely a newly slabbed coin and the database has not been updated yet to reflect the cert number. This happens to me when I receive new coins back from PCGS, too.

DIMEMAN · May 25, 2015 12:01PM

You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319.

csdot · May 25, 2015 1:48PM

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

That's what concerns me.

brg5658 · May 25, 2015 1:57PM

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed?

Wabbit2313 · May 25, 2015 2:39PM

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time.

brg5658 · May 26, 2015 12:36AM

<< 

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time. >>

Care to expand on this? I have seen coins graded within the past month with certs in the 25XXXXXX range. I don't understand what the reference to the "319" is above...

MsMorrisine · May 26, 2015 12:40AM

as far as the holder, the plastic is not the new one because pcgs added two "label holders(?)" on the label area and four circles of different sizes around the gasket. This one has none of those features.

also, the listing has 14 days remaining. ebay does 10day then the next longest is 30 day. So, this has been out there for at least 2 weeks. But I suspect longer since the plastic seems to be a previous generation.

CuKevin · May 26, 2015 1:59AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time. >>

Care to expand on this? I have seen coins graded within the past month with certs in the 25XXXXXX range. I don't understand what the reference to the "319" is above... >>

I think Wabbit misunderstood. The cert number has been randomly assigned, including the beginning digits, for a very long time.

blu62vette · May 26, 2015 2:04AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time. >>

Care to expand on this? I have seen coins graded within the past month with certs in the 25XXXXXX range. I don't understand what the reference to the "319" is above... >>

I think Wabbit misunderstood. The cert number has been randomly assigned, including the beginning digits, for a very long time. >>

Yea..but there are some clusters of starting numbers that seem to come from the same time.

Back to the OP, I had a rattler with the same issue. Sometimes it just happens

JeffMTampa · May 26, 2015 2:41AM

It's very odd why the coin doesn't show up on the database- both the coin and holder look legitimate.

valente151 · May 26, 2015 2:51AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time. >>

Care to expand on this? I have seen coins graded within the past month with certs in the 25XXXXXX range. I don't understand what the reference to the "319" is above... >>

I think Wabbit misunderstood. The cert number has been randomly assigned, including the beginning digits, for a very long time. >>

You'll find after doing enough submissions at shows, that 25xxxxxx are reserved for coins graded at shows. Yes, while there is some randomness, you can see a general upward numeric trend, around 319xxxx to 32xxxx right now, but shows grades are given 25xxxxxx. Thats why you continue to see 25xxxxxx certs being added as the normal subs continue to go up numerically. Hope this isn't "secret" info, but all my shows subs have followed this, I thought others knew it...

robec · May 26, 2015 3:31AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< You can tell by the number that it is NOT a new coin. New ones start with 319. >>

Huh? Since when does the certification number of a PCGS slabbed coin mean anything about when it was slabbed? >>

For a long time. >>

Care to expand on this? I have seen coins graded within the past month with certs in the 25XXXXXX range. I don't understand what the reference to the "319" is above... >>

I think Wabbit misunderstood. The cert number has been randomly assigned, including the beginning digits, for a very long time. >>

You'll find after doing enough submissions at shows, that 25xxxxxx are reserved for coins graded at shows. Yes, while there is some randomness, you can see a general upward numeric trend, around 319xxxx to 32xxxx right now, but shows grades are given 25xxxxxx. Thats why you continue to see 25xxxxxx certs being added as the normal subs continue to go up numerically. Hope this isn't "secret" info, but all my shows subs have followed this, I thought others knew it... >>

That's not completely accurate. I have 20-25 coins with certs starting with 25xxxxxx that were issued from my mail in submissions.

brg5658 · May 26, 2015 4:03AM

There is not any "trend" in certification numbers that I have ever seen or heard of...and the disagreement among those who apparently/supposedly "know" what they are talking about (DIMEMAN, Wabbit) is proof of that. Sorry to derail this thread, but the cert # of this coin is not relevant to how long ago it was graded...or to why it is not in the lookup. That was my point.

MonsterCoinz · May 26, 2015 4:20AM

You know, even low tier TPG's like SEGS have a data point for Date Graded, along with the normal Date, Grade, Population etc. Maybe PCGS could start doing that. It would be extremely simple and beneficial to collectors.

brg5658 · May 26, 2015 5:24AM

<< You know, even low tier TPG's like SEGS have a data point for Date Graded, along with the normal Date, Grade, Population etc. Maybe PCGS could start doing that. It would be extremely simple and beneficial to collectors. >>

I am sure the date information is in the databases. But, I think this information is purposefully held close to the chest at TPGs. Mostly, IMO, because there are general "feelings" (or call them superstitions, or whatever) that certain eras of grading were tighter than others. This information could be used to in some way try to talk down a coins merits if it came from a "loose" period (or vice versa, ask for more money because it came from a perceived tighter period).

amwldcoin · May 26, 2015 5:33AM

There is no way to tell if it is a newer holder...IE the new green hologram on the back since the seller didn't give a full Rev. picture.

I had a nice 93-S dollar PCGS had flagged the cert # on for some reason. Cost me a sale. I had to go through the same process as having a coin released from someone else's registry set. I had to send pictures etc. This was an older holder also!

robertpr · May 26, 2015 11:24AM

I would message the seller with your concerns, and then allow him to sort it out with PCGS (or not). Until the cert verification form actually verifies the cert, I wouldn't touch it.

Why can't I find this barber half in the PCGS database?

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