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 Replies: 25 / Views: 3,570 |
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Valued Member
United States
379 Posts |
This is the most valuable coin in my collection. It is of a 1987 Isle of Man gold 15 oz. Angel. I bought it raw, that is to say, ungraded. When I got it back, I was surprised to see that it rated only a MS-67 grade, as I closely examined the coin with a powered magnifying glass before sending it in, and could not see ANY defects. There were certainly no fingerprints on it. When it came back from NGC, this is what I saw... (bottom of post). notice the lovely fingerprint just above the point of the end of the spear. I cannot place the blame upon NGC exclusively, as the guy at the local coin shop on another coin of mine SQUARELY PLACED HIS THRUMB on the surface of the coin. I quietly said to the employee handling my coin "fingerprints, fingerprints". note that this is the most professional coin shop in my area. my #1 pet peeve is when people do incompetent things at their job that they do perhaps dozens of times a day, or is a regular part of their job. so what does this teach me? That I will join NGC and send them my coins myself. while at it, is there a safe way to remove the fingerprint? It was done about 2 years ago. perhaps an NGC conservation will remove the print? (ignore any white spots you will see, they are on the holder) thanks... mike  |
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Valued Member
 United States
379 Posts |
here is that same area BEFORE sending the coin in...  I realize that this image is darker and harder to see, but believe me the fingerprint was not there. I am fanatical about handling coins, and I believe that employees that put their thumbs or prints should be either disciplined or the shop should pay for a conservation fee in an attempt to remove the print. the problem is, how do you prove WHO did it? you can't. therefore, it is up to YOU to take care of the problem and to make sure that it never (or should never) happen again by submitting the coins yourself. sorry for the rant... mike Edited by 4504
03/04/2018 3:54 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
488 Posts |
"how do you prove WHO did it?" Call CSI and run that print.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Almost impossible to prove.
I would imagine that a TPGRader would just try to reply with as nice a diplomatic letter as possible, but not accepting responsibility.
"All care taken, but no responsibility accepted."
A common business approach. Usually followed up in practice, with company policy handling customers' items with all reasonable care. Their reputation in part, depends on it. To defend that reputation, denial would be the first step.
Best of luck in the following up of your case, but I don't like your chances.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10034 Posts |
Quote:
When I got it back, I was surprised to see that it rated only a MS-67 grade, as I closely examined the coin with a powered magnifying glass before sending it in, and could not see ANY defects. And since the TPGs say their grading is an "art," they have to offer no explanations. Its a big game for making money, or else they have magic loupes that let them see what others cannot...and their customers are expected (and many do) to take their word for it. How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
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.and their customers are expected (and many do) to take their word for it. This I find to be so unfortunately true in the current trend of "market grading", so often do I see tpgs grading against their own standards. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Sorry for your experience.  |
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Valued Member
United States
271 Posts |
That sucks, I would be mad
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Moderator
 United States
15400 Posts |
Sorry to learn of your troubles ... let us know how you get it resolved.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Honestly I see enough in that small section to turn a modern gold piece into a 67.
But I've been a firm believer that submitting yourself is the best way to do it
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Valued Member
United States
379 Posts |
Thanks for the replies. It's not like the worse thing in the world to happen, just irritating, no need to feel sorry for me when a million other things a million times worse happen to good people every day. I had hoped for a 69 grade, but I can accept a 67 as a 67 barely squeaks in the "superb gem uncirculated" class (67, 68, 69). The thing is that I see NGC grade coins as a67 and 68 all the time that look like that they would barely grade as 65 or 66, if that... scratched and highly visible to the naked eye crawling with defects, etc. I would send it in for a regarding, but I have little to no hope that it would grade higher as they would basically admitting that they made an error in the initial grade. Which leads me to a question... has anybody sent back a coin to NGC or PCGS for regrading and got a higher score? I got a creepy feeling that this almost never happens. I could crack it out and send it raw to PCGS, but with my luck it would return as a 66... or worse. So I guess the thing to do is to live and learn and submit my coins myself. I see a membership for $300 would allow 10 gradings in that level of membership, so that membership is basically free in a convoluted way. btw, if you are seeing what appear to be defects in the coin, believe me they are on the holder, not the coin.
again, thanks for the replies... mike
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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has anybody sent back a coin to NGC or PCGS for regrading and got a higher score? Yes it does happen when warranted. Quote:
I could crack it out and send it raw to PCGS, but with my luck it would return as a 66... or worse Generally PCGS is harder on gold so it is certainly possible. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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here is that same area BEFORE sending the coin in... With completely different lighting. Makes it impossible to make a valid comparison. Quote:
and their customers are expected (and many do) to take their word for it. But we expect the TPG to just take OUR word for it. Double standard? If we expect them to take our word for things, then it is only right that we take their word. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
Quote:.But we expect the TPG to just take OUR word for it. Double standard? If we expect them to take our word for things, then it is only right that we take their word. I don't quite get what You mean about them 'taking our word' please elaborate. |
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Moderator
United States
187940 Posts |
Ouch. That looks painful.  I hate it that this happened to you most valuable coin.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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I don't quite get what You mean about them 'taking our word' please elaborate. When someone says they damaged their coin or put fingerprints on it they usually expect the TPG to take their word for it that it was undamaged or unfingerprinted when it was sent in. So shouldn't we take their word for it when they say "we didn't do it"? |
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Replies: 25 / Views: 3,570 |
Posted 03/04/2018 4:58 pm
