Question about certification numbers or hiding them.

Chazpear · March 9, 2005 2:12AM

I have noticed that on a number of sites as well as here that some people when posting pictures of their slabbed coins will fuzz out the certification number. Which does not really bother me but I am curious as to why. I have seen this practice on auctions, which makes me suspicious of what they are trying to hide. Anyway just curious. Thanks

Russ · March 9, 2005 2:14AM

Usually, it is to prevent theft of the number for use in a registry set.

Russ, NCNE

Numismanic · March 9, 2005 2:18AM

Some people do not have their coins listed in Registry sets, and don't want others to enter
the coins in their Registry sets. It doesn't make sense that someone would want to enter a
coin that wasn't theirs, but then there are some that do.

Chazpear · March 9, 2005 2:35AM

That does make sense. So much for the “friendly” competition amongst Registry Set holders. I would guess then with the cert lookup they would just have to work harder to use the numbers of coins that they want to borrow. I agree, why would you want to use a number of a coin you do not own or intent to own?

Thanks for the info.

ss350camaro · March 9, 2005 2:37AM

Sometimes the seller has multiples of the same coin and grade so it's a "Stock Photo". The blank out the serial number so no one can say they didn't get the coin pictured in the auction.

Chazpear · March 9, 2005 2:51AM

Also had not thought about that as far as the auctions go. It certainly makes sense. Just seemed a little suspicious.

USMC_6115 · March 9, 2005 7:42AM

Hmm, another thought - anyone here think that entire registry sets exist as these stolen/borrowed numbers?

MAD4MORGANS · March 9, 2005 8:08AM

There have been many eBay "sellers" (scammers) stealing images from legitimate auctions and "selling" them fraudulently. Some of these were spotted and reported (and proven) by the slab and certification number.

I'm sure there are some more "intelligent" thiefs photo-editiing some of these numbers out making it much more difficult to spot/prove their fraudulent activity.

This applies to stolen images and stolen coins themselves.

Being in a holder would make it easier to sell and would likely realize a higher price than a raw coin.

I don't have any experience with registry set numbering, but I would be extremely wary of anyone hidding the certification numbers.

Robgetty · March 9, 2005 8:43AM

I never have worried about anyone "stealing" a registry number.
If you have the coin in hand, then you will be able to register the coin.

relayer · March 9, 2005 9:17AM

I only block them out on high grade "Registry Quality" coins.

I've had two coins listed before with the cert numbers shown where I've had buyers ask me to remove them from registry set so they could enter them.

Since I had already had done so, I contacted Carol who tracked down the cert theives. Each one said that they just wanted to know what their score would be if they added the coin and "forgot" to delete it. She said she told them she would kick them out if they did that again.

Question about certification numbers or hiding them.

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