Help With 1932-D AU Quarter - Applied MM?

It sounds like he'll make it right. The halo looks suspicious, but that doesn't mean it is. I just wonder why he would have cracked such a coin out of an NGC slab?

I three wonder why he cracked it out. That halo you're seeing could be solder used to apply the MM. Did you put it under a loupe and check for metal separation or inconsistencies?

If it was NGC you can look up its photograph in their cert database. Ask for its number.

If it's not clear you could also submit it to The Black Cabinet.

On PCGS coinfacts I found one example of a filled D, but it doesn't match this one. So, they are out there. :-)

However, 1 out of a few dozen graded examples would suggest (at least anecdotally) that it isn't very common.

Obviously mine does not match the pics.

I just got off the phone with him.

First he said he would gladly give me my money back (I expected this).

I THEN explained to him what has been being said here. And that I had put it under my 800X stereoscope and can see where it looks like there might be a slight bit of separation at the front of the D; the D looks almost like (in places), there is a small platform under it; the patina actually is more widespread into that area than I saw initially, the D is filled, and the D is also higher than the surrounding design.

He told me that it was in a heritage auction a couple of weeks ago (unfortunately the site is down as I just tried to locate the coin so I could get the number). He told me he will look for the slab and call me back with the number.

I asked him why he took it out of the holder. He said sometimes he sees a good slabbed coin that is marked "environmental damage," "lightly cleaned," or toned. He said all it takes is a quick dipping (!) and the coin is then fine. He also added he brakes slabs b/c he finds people coming in the store want coins to put in albums and to not have them in slabs. I know that a couple times before this he and I have both discussed how we do not like the concept of slabbed coins in general (unlike jbuck who LOVES them right?).

I thought dipping was a big no no according to this forum

Or is it a special case that there are some coins (albeit few) that can have this done to preserve them?

And, again, he has a good reputation amongst collectors/dealers in this area. He had no problems with any of this and agreed that the TPGs do make many mistakes.

Comments welcome - please !

I think the coin looks good. The coin appears tall and boxy which I believe is a characteristic of both the 32-D and S. You say that the D appears to have a "shelf", and if I remember correctly, the ANA guide on Counterfeit Detection showed genuine examples of which had that "shelf". I remember reading in the PCGS guide that there is often lots of die polish lines around the mintmark. DVCollector's picture clearly shows several examples of the die polish. I also remember that the mintmark can sometimes appear to sit in a depression.

I really appreciate the knowledge shared here by CCF family. I thought I would get my set up going and take a few more pics this afternoon:




In the bottom pic, I think it is just the lighting bringing out the mark to the upper right of the D. I did not see this under the 800X magnification - if this were what it looked like I would definitely say it was soldered on.