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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,506 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I recently noticed a notice on some listings while browsing at Heritage: Quote:
The image displayed is a stock photo of an identical coin. The coin you will receive will be the exact same date, grade, mint mark, grading service and quality. Only the serial number will be different. Does anyone know specifically when they use stock images? I can understand why they do this with common coins that have become commoditized because of TGPs, but it has me a little concerned. Coins that are identical in grade, date, mint mark and grading service might not be quite identical. A collector might be interested in qualities like strike and toning, which could vary a lot on coins with identical grades, or might be looking to cherry-pick unattributed varieties or errors. |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
 rarely are any two coins identical, especially when you're dealing with the pricey material that might be on the Heritage site |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4132 Posts |
It does seem like it's mostly used on more common stuff (more expensive or rare pieces don't use stock photos), but I am wondering what the cut-off is.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
If someone is going to Heritage to buy a coin, I think they deserve to see what they're bidding on.
If photos cost too much for them, they need a better process for the cheaper coins--the ball is in their court.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Can you link me to one of those, captainwiffo? I am on that site literally every_single_day, and I've yet to see one. Perhaps it's what I'm browsing. Is it maybe one/more of their affiliated sellers?
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Valued Member
Australia
243 Posts |
I definitely wouldnt buy a coin sight unseen regardless of whether its slabbed or not - especially not for the prices that you would likely encounter in a heritage auction
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have never seen this on Heritage but I am guessing this is Modern coins that are just "get out of my inventory" coins that would not be worth taking a picture of
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I noticed it first on common-date Mercury dimes in commonish grades. Here's one and here's another, and here's one that's not "coming soon". I agree that for some certified modern coins, there is hardly a point of providing a picture. How much variance is there really going to be between PR69DCAM 2010 dimes? But if I was interested in that '45-S dime, I might want a real picture. The one pictured is like 80% full bands, but what if the one that's actually for sale has the same grade but is flat as a pancake? Edited by CaptainFwiffo
01/31/2012 6:20 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I see what you mean, captainwiffo. Strangely enough, I got caught in a search for Moderns a few minutes ago that brought me to some of them as well. My first thought was, "No kiddin'? That's what he was talking about."
Can't say I like it. I understand why they're doing it, though - I would not photograph a Merc in a slab at the level of skill I can bring, for the entire commission they're going to get from one of those.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,506 |
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Posted 01/30/2012 2:10 pm
