Scratches On The Slabs

I agree with zxcccxz. Its generally not worth the hassle and time if they are just minor. The important thing is that they are on the case and not the coins.

I know exactly how you feel. In the last 9 months I've purchased 9 coins in holders (all NGC) and 8 were pristine except the most important one, a 2008 MS 69 Early Release Silver Eagle, my grandsons birth year. No deep scratches, but almost like the previous owner threw it in a cigar box with a bunch of other stuff. I can't justify sending it in for a replacement holder. Still kind of a bummer. Grandson will have to get over it.

There are a lot of polishes out there suitable for removing scratches from slabs, particularly light scratches.
I personally use the 3-part Novus product.

Scratches on the slabs make the coins inside much harder to photograph, and I guess easier to hide scratches on coins, by a low ball basement slabber.

Would be a problem if the coin has been over graded by the TPG, or if the coin has been graded by a basement slabber.

Hi Conder101 - I know it sounds silly but I have never owned a slabbed coin. I don't know what is normal. I was going to buy the Novus scratch remover that kanga recommended. What would you say if upon further inspection I noticed there is an imperfection on a coin? I noticed a little smudge on the reverse near the edge of the coin where the grader likely held the coin. I am going to ask for an exchange of the coins. The way I see it is I would have chosen other coins if I was able to inspect the coins in person before purchasing.

I've also found a cheap "watch repair kit" for the old watch faces works a charm. It comes in a box with paste and a buffing cloth, costs about $5 in Oz. I've been able to take a fully scuffed up PCGS holder and make it look like new in a couple minutes.

Hey all,
Update here, so I sent the coins back for an exchange. The return process went great. The dealer emailed me the return packing info and there was no charge to me. The bad news, the replacement coins are worse than the first set. Now these are 2013 PCGS MS+PR70 coins. One coin has what I think you call a milk spot on the obverse. The second coin has scratches on the reverse of the coin. The scratches are on the shield. I thought the scratches were on the slab but they are on the coin. I will call and ask for another exchange.

This makes me think twice about buying these graded 70 modern coins. I did get swept up in the idea that these MS 70 enhanced proof silver eagles would be a good investment. The thinking that they are the first of a kind and the mint was low at 280,000 and no plans to mint another one.

Now I think the money could be better spent on some high grade Morgans or Gold Eagles. I will likely have to pay a restocking fee if I choose to get a refund. I will just chalk it up to the price of the learning curve.