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Fake seated dollar in fake pcgs holder examined at Santa Clara.
truthteller
Posts: 1,240 ✭✭
I had a collector show me a recently purchased 1844 PCGS XF40 Seated Dollar. The coin was counterfeit and the holder was fake. Since many counterfeit holders are showing up in the SF Bay Area, I decided to examine it carefully.
Points of notice.
1) The fake PCGS holder is identical in size and dimensions to a true PCGS holder. I examined the fake side by side with a real holder and found the fake stackable and of correct proportions.
2) When examined in ambient light, the fake holder plastic did not display the light blue tint which is standard for true PCGS plastic. In fact, the fake had no tint whatsoever. This is a easy and reliable test for determining the fake holder.
3) The fake holder had "too much frost" in the plastic and was easily distinguishable from a true holder, when held side by side.
4) The sonic seals of both fake and true holders matched well and cannot be a distinguishing factor.
5) The coin itself appeared crude and would be easily declared fake by anyone with coin collector knowledge.
6) The coin and holder were underweight for a seated dollar, which was evident by holding the fake holdered coin in hand. This would not be a good differentiating factor for smaller denominations, but would be so for gold or platinum coins.
7) The label appeared to be of good color and font, but was lacking the "speckled" white mix found on current PCGS labels. The reverse hologram was identical to a true PCGS holder.
The collector purchased the coin unwittingly from an associate, not a fly by night dealer or ebay. These coins have now appear to be well established in the second tier US coin collecting community. I strongly suggest anyone buying any TPG coin to bring a real holdered coin to compare when at a coin show or shop.
TRUTH
Points of notice.
1) The fake PCGS holder is identical in size and dimensions to a true PCGS holder. I examined the fake side by side with a real holder and found the fake stackable and of correct proportions.
2) When examined in ambient light, the fake holder plastic did not display the light blue tint which is standard for true PCGS plastic. In fact, the fake had no tint whatsoever. This is a easy and reliable test for determining the fake holder.
3) The fake holder had "too much frost" in the plastic and was easily distinguishable from a true holder, when held side by side.
4) The sonic seals of both fake and true holders matched well and cannot be a distinguishing factor.
5) The coin itself appeared crude and would be easily declared fake by anyone with coin collector knowledge.
6) The coin and holder were underweight for a seated dollar, which was evident by holding the fake holdered coin in hand. This would not be a good differentiating factor for smaller denominations, but would be so for gold or platinum coins.
7) The label appeared to be of good color and font, but was lacking the "speckled" white mix found on current PCGS labels. The reverse hologram was identical to a true PCGS holder.
The collector purchased the coin unwittingly from an associate, not a fly by night dealer or ebay. These coins have now appear to be well established in the second tier US coin collecting community. I strongly suggest anyone buying any TPG coin to bring a real holdered coin to compare when at a coin show or shop.
TRUTH
7
Comments
So your saying it even fooled the dealer that sold it?
EAC 6024
<< <i>"The collector purchased the coin unwittingly from an associate, not a fly by night dealer or ebay".
So your saying it even fooled the dealer that sold it? >>
Yes, and it wasn't one of those low class ebay dealers either.
I see this potential with these fake PCGS slabs. They're a novelty right now- burning at random a few collectors.
Please, I sincerely hope these counterfeit slabs don't drive out the good and damage our hobby for many years to come.
peacockcoins
This is going to be a tough battle!
EAC 6024
as current holders in the market are not making them any cash flow now
just grading sevices as being performed
if you really need to know as a collector-> re-submit
(although I would not like to be the CSR calling people to tell them their $10K coin in PCGS slab is not authentic)
You can't get any pics of the coin can you? I'd like to see how good or bad the fake really was.
Since good counterfeiters with modern equipment can fake almost any holders. Problem will be for low end coins. Those valued at $100 or less. Mass producing lowend coins can make as much money as a one off of high end coin. I have been on many forums and biggest problem is lack of photos.
I've seen these counterfeit holders and his points are correct, however the newest PCGS slabs don't have that bluish tint in the plastic anymore. They are crystal clear so keep that in mind.
My YouTube Channel
Counterfeit slabs are scarier than counterfeit coins.
I wonder how many of these fake holders can be found in flea market stalls?
Interesting, thank you for the "heads-up" !!!
Did the serial # and barcode provide any clues? Peace Roy
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The only way to beat this is to learn your coins that you want to buy and study them before you purchase the coin and not to depend on the plastic to do all the work for you
HAPPY COLLECTING
Resurrected post from 2010... but still pertinent.... Be careful out there....Cheers, RickO
Wow, people actually used to attend the Santa Clara show?