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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,166 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
I purchased a bunch of different date bullion ASE's at a coin show about six months ago. When I looked them over, all were virtually perfect. Not only were there no marks that would reduce condition, black from finger marks were not evident at all, not even on the edges. Fast forward to today when I get out my ASE's to transfer them to air tight holders. Four that I purchased from one dealer all are black at the top of the obverse, on the edge and at the bottom of the reverse. Apparently, not only did the dumb monkey who put the ASE's in the flips not care to wear gloves, he didn't even care to hold them by their edges with his bare fingers. Instead, he (or she) pinched the coin between his thumb and index finger in order to slip them in the flips. He probably saved a second per coin by doing it this way, but managed to ruin them all in the process.  If someone doesn't care enough about coins to make a half hearted attempt to do it right, I wonder why they're even in the business. I've learned a valuable lesson here. I must keep track of which dealers I purchase ASE's from. That way I can give them a piece of my mind if the same thing happens again. Sorry about the rant, but I'll put it nicely and say that I'm very mad. It's one thing when amateur collectors ruin coins in their coins, but I expect more from those in the business who know better. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
 Bret. How terrible! I overheard a dealer at a show telling someone talking about "milky" proofs to put straight ammonia in a small squirt bottle and spray the coin then wipe it dry with a soft cloth. He said he "did it all the time" to his proof coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4963 Posts |
  I can't believe a dealer would do such a thing. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
If he was selling them strictly as bullion, then he's assuming the buyers are also not caring whether they are spotted or not later as they are strictly bullion pieces. If you are buying for numismatic reasons you need to ask the dealer if these ASEs have been handled in such a way that may spoil their appearance down the road. I understand you're angry, but it's just common sense when purchasing bullion, and scruffy bullion is bought and sold all the time. I see dealers mishandle silver bullion at coin shows all the time since the overhead is low and the material is bulky and heavy. ASEs are generally not thought of as scarce coins, why they even bother to bring them to shows unless they bought or traded from a previous customer. Otherwise most dealers treat them as nuisances and throw them in their display cases unholdered treated little better than junk silver. Personally, I wouldn't buy bullion at shows for this reason and also because of excellent ASE counterfeits from China, which may also explain the quick tarnishing if they were plated. Did you weigh and measure them at the show or when you got home? Edited by Bizybackson
02/01/2016 03:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4963 Posts |
Although I also view them strictly as bullion pieces and would care much more if coins of numismatic interest were being treated this way, it is still a lot easier to sell nice looking pieces than ugly ones.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
Quote:
If he was selling them strictly as bullion, then he's assuming the buyers are also not caring whether they are spotted or not later as they are strictly bullion pieces. It's 100% that none of the dealers I purchased the ASE's from were selling them strictly as bullion. They all had them separated by date in flips. If they were selling them strictly as bullion, then they wouldn't have gone through the trouble. They also would have charged different prices depending on date which every one of them did. If an ASE is already blemished, it will most likely not have a numismatic premium. I can understand a dealer treating one of those as bullion. Any ASE that's not blemished should be treated as if it has a numismatic premium. Other than the numismatic premium, I can't imagine what the point would be of paying a premium for ASE's when you can buy silver rounds that are just as pure. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Just a note. The fake China ASE are a cinch to spot. Every one of them has a 'squished' left foot on the obverse. Many other ways to spot them, but that's the fastest way. |
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Valued Member
299 Posts |
Such a topic ... don't get me started ! In the days before encapsulation one of the most appalling scenes ever witnessed by these old eyeballs was a major silver dollar dealer, now deceased, from the Akron Ohio area who would dump out rolls of hitherto fresh coins onto his desk blotter with one hand and hold a Big Mac in the other, setting his greaseburger down long enough to further manhandle and stain the coins or light yet another cigarette over the exposed coins. This scene played out repeatedly until his death from cardiac/coronary issues. Fortunately he also handled vast quantities of GSA CC Dollars which because of the hard plastic holder were immune to his abuse. Oh yes, Franklin half dollar BU rolls also fell victim to his careless inconsideration in massive profusion. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
At this point I think that I'm just going to give someone a piece of my mind if I see something similar at the next show. I won't be rude, but I'll certainly let them know that their unprofessional indifference to the results of the carelessness will prevent me from purchasing from them. Last weekend I took a look at two 2015 ASE's that I purchased last weekend. One has now starting turning black where someone obviously pinched it between their fingers. It's pretty much ruined as far as numismatic value goes. The other has a large band of toning on the reverse that absolutely wasn't there when I purchased the coin. I would think that it's artificial, but since it wasn't there when I purchased it, I have no clue how it developed so quickly. |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,166 |
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Posted 02/01/2016 02:40 am
