6StepStucky

In September 2004, members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) reported seeing counterfeit NGC PCGS holders (also known as "slabs") at the Long Beach Coin Show. Members of the Beverly Hills Coin Club (BHCC), an affiliate club-member of the ANA, had reported counterfeit coin slabs as early as December 3, 1998. As a direct result, BHCC partnered with ACCGS, manned by unpaid club volunteers, as a pre-certification service for coins and to "guarantee the authenticity of slabs or Third Party Grader holders". More counterfeit PCGS and NGC holders were reported on eBay in 2005 and later years, but NCG did not address the problem until 2008, after high-quality counterfeit holders had been seen and purchased on eBay. NGC published the following acknowledgment on January 7, 2008:

"NGC has identified and confirmed that (counterfeit replicas) of its holder has been produced.......The holder has been seen housing counterfeit dollar or foreign crown size coins. While the enclosed coins are also counterfeit, the label information matches the coin type enclosed. The label information is copied from actual NGC certification labels, and the certification information therefore will match the NGC database. Most frequently, Trade Dollars and Bust Dollars are found, although Flowing Hair Dollars and foreign coins have also been seen. A range of grades is also represented."[cite this quote]

NGC and PCGS counterfeit holders have been reported in eBay forums and more may be reported by other firms and individuals. The PCGS website notes that they "anticipate that authentic coins will eventually be placed into counterfeit holders". Third party graders are taking measures to resist counterfeiting, however, counterfeit holders may multiply and improve over time. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and PCGS offer no reimbursement liability for the prices paid for coins in their counterfeit holders. Both firms have online links to verify the holder numbers. However, many buyers may not be computer users or may be unaware of such links. Caution is advised when purchasing coins in PCGS and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation holders as the seller can disclaim liability due to the "third party" nature of the counterfeit holder. Additionally, it may be too late to request refunds from eBay sellers before holders can be verified as counterfeits. Many coins are posted on eBay and through other venues "as is" and therefore with no return privileges.

4largecents

Hey 6Step, that was very interesting,as well as informative. I didn't know that about counterfeit NGC & PCGS slabs, I really appreciate the post

borgovan

I can't wait to see the first counterfeit CAC stickered stuff.

900fine

I've been wondering the same thing myself.

Much easier to counterfeit a CAC sticker than a coin or a slab.

Conder101

That is the first claim I have seen of fake TPG slabs having been seen before the fake ANACS slabs we detected on ebay in March of 2007 and the fake NGC slabs in August of 2007. (Not including the fake PCGS slabs of 1989) If they were being seen as early as 1998 and 2004 where are the reports? Were they published anywhere? I was an active member of the major forums back then, I would think that if fake slabs had been reported it would have been discussed. I know it was after the 2007 discoveries.

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GDJMSP

I would have to agree with Conder. And that's th eproblem with Wikipedia, the source of that info. Anybody who wants to post something can post it. You never really know if the info is accurate or not. But speaking from experience, I have seen several instances where it was not.

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quartertapper

Thank you for the info. I think anyone who collects slabbed coins needs to be aware of this. Further artcles on this subject would greatly interest me, not to mention frustrate me.

Mr. Coin Lover

Thanks for the info. I tell you this counterfeit thing is scary to me. It seems as though it is getting worse and worse.

6StepStucky

Well, I guess it just goes to show. One never knows until they find out first hand. After a much waited reply to this I got the responce to the email I sent to the BHCC. Say and think what you will.

Thank you for your email. Members Buddy Ebsen and Terry Farmer, among others, reported seeing a few slabs at the Long Beach Coin Show sometime in the 1990s that were either said to have been counterfeit and/or carefully reopened "using perhaps a lazer" and then resealed with an inferior coin. Since then, many more have come to light at several other shows. It is true that anyone can post on Wikipedia, and if contrary evidence or proof is found, people can post a rebuttal to what is posted. We have no reason to doubt these members as they owned many PCGS and NGC coins themselves, later auctioned by Supeior and the Goldbergs, and it doesn't seem they would have any financial interest nor other gain in stating the fact that some a few suspected counterfeit slabs had been seen.

Thank you,
Sarah Miller
www.bhcoinclub.org