PCGS Has Damaged My Coin

Dave thats correct.

That middle area in the prong part is designed to be the size of the coin with just those two small lips being bigger that fit over the rim.

They could have tried a wrong sized ring, but that part is done by hand so theres not the option of just machine forcing something in.

The one I pictured was for a quarter, I've been trying to shove an SBA in there but so far all I've done is damage part of the lips and I've been man handling it. I can get two prongs on it but not the third.

I was researching different coin graders last year and asked PCGS via email, if they wore gloves to handle coins and astonishingly, the answer was no. Since that answer, I have never sent a coin away, to anyone, to be graded.

I would however, put my trust in ANACS, they seem like a decent group of people running the business but their new coin holders are not the most appealing to me.

Superdave:

I was referring to tight fitting, thin, un-bleached cotton gloves not welding mitts.

My coin supplies provider carries so there are at least some collectors that use them. It's only common sense not to encase a coin with sweat or any kind of moisture on them.

If you prefer not to, thats fine too.

BTW, they have to be cotton gloves and not polyester as the polyester or nylon gloves will make your hands sweat and defeats the purpose of wearing gloves to begin with.

You can stop the timer now; they've deleted the thread. I'm surprised they left it up for over a week. Though I can't tell whether this was a sign of either uncharacteristically deliberate tolerance on their part, or that the World & Ancients forum there is only very thinly patrolled by their moderators.

Count me in the no glove gloves camp as well. If you have clean hands and just hold the edge you wont harm it, plus circulated coins have already been been handled countless times before. Uncirculated coins would be the ones you could make the argument for, but to me the chance of getting lint or dust on a proof from cotton gloves is far greater than touching the meat of the coin. Doctor gloves would reduce that chance, but even then doctors really wear gloves to protect themselves from exposure rather than anything else.

It was photographed undamaged by the TPG before it was slabbed, and the photo was posted on their website.

I can understand being upset when they do these things without telling you, but that is definitely the same coin. Look at the mark in front of Liberty's face. It is identical.

I'd recommend selling it. You'll get a premium for being slabbed. I suggest this because I suspect them removing the toning of your coin is going to annoy you every time you look at it. Just get it out of your life and get another one that you are happy with.