Important Tip For Collectors

Note to moderator - I listed this in the U.S. Modern category because in my true example, it happened with a Lincoln Cent. In reality, I believe this would be more beneficial to readers of the U.S. Classic Coin forum, since most modern coins are ineligible for CAC stickering, whereas almost all U.S. Classic coins are. Please move it if you agree.

Here's a crazy but true story that happened to me about two weeks ago.

I noticed in my CACG and MyCollect Registry Lincoln Wheat DATE set that my 1950-S Lincoln, graded MS67RD by PCGS with a CAC sticker, did not show as having that sticker. I then went to the CAC "Coin Look-Up" tool, and lo and behold, that cert showed as not CAC!

I emailed CAC to let them know that I bought that 1950-S Lincoln MS67RD PCGS w/CAC two years ago from Heritage, and I included a photo of the Heritage info, showing the coin and their description that it was indeed CAC stickered. CAC asked me to send them the coin. I then got a call from JA, as he now had that coin in hand, and he indicated that sticker had clearly been reapplied, from a different coin! He and I separately then contacted Mark Feld of Heritage, and CAC has now returned the coin to Heritage. I let Mark know exactly which lot in which auction I bought the coin.

Naturally, Heritage is refunding my money. Both JA and I suggested Heritage contact the consignor. It's possible the consignor bought the coin with the tampered sticker already there. Naturally, no one will admit to having done this. I would think that Heritage will take a look at other coins consigned by this person to see if this was a one time thing or if there was another similar incident.

I dropped the bad coin from all of my Registries. I searched GC, Collectorscorner.com, and ebay for a 1950-S Lincoln MS67RD PCGS w/CAC (that's the most common mint mark for that year - the "cheapest"), and I found only one, but it was really nice. It was on ebay, and I bought it after a brief negotiation with the seller. I then added it to all of my Registries.

So, while all collectors, including me, should know to check both the PCGS and CAC look up tools, many of us don't take the time, especially when the coin is being sold by a reputable auction house or dealer. But now I know to always check, to avoid these problems.

I don't believe Heritage is at fault, as my impression is none of the auction houses takes the time to look up every coin on the TPG website and the CAC Look-Up tool for confirmation of the status.

Steve