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 Replies: 25 / Views: 5,000 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
I have read about fake slabs all the time, however I haven't seen one (or photos). Are there any signs to look for besides checking the verification number on a TPG web site? |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4911 Posts |
cant really help you on detecting them but don't just rely on the cert number, they've been known to copy the cert numbers and put the corresponding fake coin in the fake slab. pretty scary stuff!
Feel free to call me Will.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
First, check if there's a match here: http://www.theblackcabinet.org/tpg-check/This database isn't complete yet (I have a *large* backlog to get through) but it'll be fairly comprehensive over the course of the next few months for outted fakes. If there isn't a hit there, the process becomes harder with a combination of: a) Checking if the coin in the slab is an obvious fake. This requires a knowledge of what to look for in counterfeits. b) Checking the cert number at the TPG that certified it for pictures and see if they match; c) Auction provenance and see if the price matches or its location is different; d) Check to see what series slab it is (and there isn't much info about this online) and see if the coin in question's slab's features match. And if all else fails, if it's in your possession, you can mail it into the TPG company itself and ask them to verify it (you'll have to pay for shipping). That's about all that can be done. Edited by SteveCaruso
01/26/2015 5:39 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
604 Posts |
@Steve Caruso
Thanks you so much for your work your doing.
Love the website!
Just curious, are there any NGC fake slabs you know about?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
Thanks. :-) There are about a dozen, and only one is in the database so far. The vast *vast* majority are PCGS. TPG #1. Which I find ironic. :-) Edited by SteveCaruso
01/26/2015 6:05 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
I just wasted an hour of my life on Alibaba looking for fake PCGS slabs. They are possible to find. Here is one photo:  I also found a lot of other stuff that is really disturbing, such as fake 2014 U.S. Proof Sets:  After seeing some of this stuff, it really makes me wonder if I can trust any coin I purchase. I found fake AMPEX bullion and US $50 bullion coins with a tungsten core and thick plating that will match the correct weight exactly. No country is exempt from the fakes offered. For those of us in the U.S., note that the same companies producing all the fake coins also produce all the military challenge coins that are so popular. Unfortunately, it is clear that challenge coins, which many of us Americans like to trade and collect, are an industry that directly supports the companies counterfeiting our coins and seriously hurting our hobby  |
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Moderator
 United States
188052 Posts |
Quote:
I also found a lot of other stuff that is really disturbing, such as fake 2014 U.S. Proof Sets: How do you know it is fake? It looks like the stock photo from the US Mint website. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
Quite often on AliBaba/Express they'll use stock images with a price that should be an order of magnitude larger than it is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
Quote:
How do you know it is fake? It looks like the stock photo from the US Mint website. Perhaps the photo is stock, but the real indication they are fake is that the advertisement heading says that they are replicas. Here is another product from the same company. I made a screenshot that includes the product name.....  Edited by Susuman
01/27/2015 4:07 pm
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
Quote:
Perhaps the photo is stock, but the real indication they are fake is that the advertisement heading says that they are replicas. Here is another produce from the same company. I made a screenshot that includes the product name..... Cool. That is what I wanted to know. Thank you for the additional information and photo.  Like Steve said, the unreal price is an indicator. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
And people wonder why some of us are up in arms over that website. They're the enemy of every numismatist, plain and simple.
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Valued Member
United States
453 Posts |
But you can buy stock in it now and make some of your money back right? Fake American coins are ok but if they were pirated dvds itd be a whole other story. What a joke.
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
Quote:
Fake American coins are ok but if they were pirated dvds itd be a whole other story. Funny how messed up our priorities are.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
alibaba is proof that people will buy just about and piece of junk you can put out there.
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
Sir, per your original question "how can I tell if a slab is fake" If the coin is photograded I go on NGC and PCGS and match up the Knicks and scratches. Then when I receive the coin I check again.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
@ Brian34Jersey
That was one of the reasons I posted this question. Some of the slabs I own, and checked to verify, just verify what's in the slab.
They don't provide a picture though.
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Replies: 25 / Views: 5,000 |
Posted 01/26/2015 5:30 pm
