I've never seen a slab scratched so bad. You'd think HA would spring for a reholder

TopographicOceans · May 1, 2017 2:05PM

I guess that would take all their profit away.

astrorat · May 1, 2017 2:36PM

Even less effort is needed, I bet. It would probably take just a few minutes and some plastic polish for the slab to be crystal clear.

BillJones · May 1, 2017 3:16PM

I have. When I first became a dealer I got stuck with an 1807 quarter in a slab that was scratched so badly that you could hardly see the coin. I could see enough that the coin had enough detail to grade at least VF. I bought it because I had a customer who wanted a VF. When I cracked the coin out of the holder, however, I discovered that was why the holder was badly scratched. The coin inside was VF-EF sharpness with the surfaces polished and given a layer of AT.

That was actually a good thing. For a $100 loss I learned not to trust the coin inside of slab unless you could really SEE THE COIN. I called it "a tuition payment" and a lesson well learned for the expense.

Cameonut · May 1, 2017 3:27PM

Doesn't even look dcam to me in that photo.

I recall a dealer in Detroit that used to "dump" his slabs into a display case. No respect for the coins because they were apparently protected by their tombs. Never bought a single coin from that donkey for 15 years.

logger7 · May 1, 2017 3:41PM

I agree, not biggie to use scratch remover. If just a few problem coins or slabs pop up on a search collectors begin to wonder how many other hidden problems there may be.

AmazonX · May 1, 2017 4:17PM

Probably got scratched from when they got it and gave it to the photographer.

messydesk · May 1, 2017 4:47PM

I harp about this a lot. There are 5- and 6-figure coins they sell that have trashed slabs. What good is inspecting a coin if you can't see it?

Jimnight · May 1, 2017 4:55PM

@messydesk said:
I harp about this a lot. There are 5- and 6-figure coins they sell that have trashed slabs. What good is inspecting a coin if you can't see it?

I agree

10000lakes · May 1, 2017 5:09PM

You do realize that they are just selling coins as a service for a fee.
It's a $100 coin, I'm sure they would be willing to have it reholdered, regraded, sent for a sticker, or even figure out if it's some rare variety if the owner wants to pay for such service

stevepk · May 1, 2017 6:59PM

It takes less than three minutes to fix a scratched slab with a micro fiber cloth and a dab of Slab Renew or Novus Fine Scratch Remover. Just rub it in a circular motion with your thumb, then buff it out with the micro fiber cloth and you are back in business! I know it's not 'part of the deal', but they should do it anyway just to show pride in their work as professional coin photographers. It baffles me that they don't buff out scratched slabs.

mannie gray · May 1, 2017 10:56PM

I have seen slabs scratched much more than this one.

airplanenut · May 1, 2017 11:20PM

@stevepk said:
It takes less than three minutes to fix a scratched slab with a micro fiber cloth and a dab of Slab Renew or Novus Fine Scratch Remover. Just rub it in a circular motion with your thumb, then buff it out with the micro fiber cloth and you are back in business! I know it's not 'part of the deal', but they should do it anyway just to show pride in their work as professional coin photographers. It baffles me that they don't buff out scratched slabs.

I agree in theory, but it's easy to say it's "just" 3 minutes when you have one coin. If you've ever photographed a few hundred or thousand coins at once, "just" 3 minutes is an enormous amount of time. I'd love to have clean slabs every time I photograph coins, but I can't afford anywhere near the time that would require.

ricko · May 2, 2017 5:00AM

If I were selling my coins, I would likely take the time to ensure there were no scratches in the viewing area... That being said, auction houses or coin photographers are not in the slab refurbishing business and the seller consigning the coin is responsible. Cheers, RickO

topstuf · May 2, 2017 5:10AM

I just got a coin from NFC and their ad stickers are clear circles that protect the plastic.
Very cool

Analyst · May 3, 2017 6:45PM

Bill Jones: When I first became a dealer I got stuck with an 1807 quarter in a slab that was scratched so badly that you could hardly see the coin. I could see enough that the coin had enough detail to grade at least VF. I bought it because I had a customer who wanted a VF. When I cracked the coin out of the holder, however, I discovered that was why the holder was badly scratched. The coin inside was VF-EF sharpness with the surfaces polished and given a layer of AT.

This is one of the more educational posts in this forum in 2017!

I have seen many 'slabs' that I suspect were deliberately scratched or scuffed to deflect attention from coin doctoring and/or other issues. The holder-scratches are sometimes 'right over' an area on the coin that has been scratched and/or doctored. IMO, this is a serious matter. A collector could fly to the location of an auction or a convention only to find that the coins he is seeking are in holders that were scratched and cannot be fairly interpreted without new holders!

How will Coin Collectors Interpret Certified Coin Grades in the Future?

TurboSnail · May 3, 2017 7:20PM

put some toothpaste on it and rub it off.

1630Boston · May 3, 2017 7:37PM

I have not seen a deliberately scratched slab, but they must exist JMO

I've never seen a slab scratched so bad. You'd think HA would spring for a reholder

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