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Altered per PCGS, Bodybagged

AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ok, I started this thread last night with different pics from a different light source. Well, tonight I've taken
pics of the Altered 1884-cc (per PCGS) and a 1884-cc GSA in original plastic holder. The results were about
even last night that the BB coin was in fact altered or not altered. Thanks for all responding. Should I resubmit?
The 'altered BB' coins were taken out of the GSA holder by me back some 20 years ago and have resided in
my Nevada shaped CC holder untill I sent them to PCGS (an 1884 and an 1883). So, tonight I've rephoto'd
with the same light source and same distance. There is a difference in the composition of the plastic in the
two holders and that accounts for some color difference. What I want to know from the forum is: what's your
opinion? Is the 1884-cc with the blue background different than the 1884-cc in the GSA plastic? thanks,
bob
First is the 1884-cc Body Bag for being altered
imageimage
This is GSA still in the holder
imageimage
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com

Comments

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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Miss Liberty's cheek looks like it may have been thumbed.

    Russ, NCNE
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    OK, Russ, what the heck does that mean? Not familiar with that term. If it's what I think does that me it was rubbed with the thumb?
    I don't do that to my coins and always handle by the rims but could that have been done before it was put into the GSA holder? How
    much were these coins handled? I've got a GSA, have posted here, with finger prints on them so I know they were handled. So, you
    vote don't resubmit? Thanks
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭
    Look at the cheek on the bodybagged coin. See that upside down horseshoe-shaped lighter area on the upper cheek? That's not a natural pattern of rub, but appears in this image to very clearly be rub -- whereas the rest of the coin looks mint state and unmolested. That's often a good indication that the coin may have been thumbed. It is very clearly a luster break from this image.

    A coin that is "thumbed" is most commonly (but not necessarily) thumbed on the cheek, which usually a high point on the coin. The term essentially comes from the concept of rubbing a thumb on an area of the coin until significant blemishes are mostly hidden or worn away, while the rest of the coin looks pristine.
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow, you guys are gooooood. Now who done it????? Why would someone do that intentionally to a coin if
    it's so easily spotted by a knowledgeable coin collector? Was it just mishandled along the way and what were
    the odds of me getting two, an '84 and an '83 to send in? Well, I just looked through my safe and picked out
    two that looked like they would be good submissions and this was my choice! My submission number was 9059149.
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seems like as good a place as any to ask the experts - will an acetone bath remove the nose grease from a thumbing? Acetone sure seems to suck the oil out of my skin.
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Why would someone do that intentionally to a coin if
    it's so easily spotted by a knowledgeable coin collector? >>



    Because not everyone is a knowledgeable collector, so some less scrupulous people take advantage of that.

    Russ, NCNE
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great question! Acetone!! I'll be watching to see the responses. I've been buying coins for almost 50
    years but all by myself and never from a dealer or show. Now, as I wind down in life I'm beginning to
    experience the learning that goes with the hobby. Which is all it was to me. I appreciate the responses
    and the help that goes with this forum. I like the decention that occasionally crops up too!
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,789 ✭✭✭✭✭
    By altered, I assume you mean "altered surfaces" as opposed to altered date or mintmark. Can you move the light a little on the BBed coin to light up the left side a little more. It would appear that the coin has been smoothed out a little. An 84-CC in what would otherwise appear to be high grade should have very "crisp" luster. Yours looks very clean (mark free) but with no "pop."

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    MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Should I resubmit?

    You should show the coin - not a picture of the coin - to an expert and get their opinion. Opinions based on pictures are unreliable.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Messydesk and MrEureka, Yes it was sent back as Altered Surface. And I'll go with PCGS as I believe
    they are expert in determining that fact. So, It will stay in the Nevada holder and my kids will have
    to deal with it! Thanks to all.
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • Options


    << <i>Should I resubmit?

    You should show the coin - not a picture of the coin - to an expert and get their opinion. Opinions based on pictures are unreliable. >>



    I agree with Andy - what some are seeing may be only a shadow from the lighting - if you took it out of the GSA holder and you didn't rub the coin with anything to try and hide marks, it is highly unlikely that the ladies with the white cotton glove employed by the GSA to sort and put those coins in the plastic GSA holder "thumbed" that coin - unless they forgot their white gloves and used their thumb to press the coin into the black plastic insert! image
    Collecting eye-appealing Proof and MS Indian Head Cents, 1858 Flying Eagle and IHC patterns and beautiful toned coins.

    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
    Newmismatist

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