I bought the 07-09 proof sets of the presidential dollar series on ebay. I got them for a few cents over face value, so i feel that the purchase was a good one, but upon inspecting the sets today after I received them, I noticed that one of of the coins had an odd bit of damage on it...it looks like PMD, but I'm not certain of these things yet, as I'm still a noob in numismatics: (The scratches and smudges are on the external plastic) Like I said, I got them for right over face, so I'm not concerned with returning them. I just want to know what's going on with it. Thanks
Well, even the mint isn't perfect in handling the coins and packaging them. It likely is PMD and unless you bought them with a return or exchange policy, then you're pretty much out of luck.
Best way to tell if it's mint PMD from them packaging them or the coins were swapped is to look at the case very carefully. I crack out proof coins all the time and use a hammer to strike one corner that way the the coins aren't damaged and I can break the seam the rest of the way. Splitting the case into two halves. Of course I'm not looking to refill the packaging so I don't care about a damaged corner. If it was a more professional opening job you can still look at the seam around the case no matter how careful one is there will still be seperation between the two halves of the case. If you can run your finger nail and it goes into the seam then the case has been opened before. Plus you may even be able to open the case with that finger nail just like opening an airtite. There will be no seperation from the mint and the case can't just be pulled apart.
Heck, I pry open stuff I've received from the mint (proof sets) and have no trouble finding the seam. I insert an exacto knife into the seam and gently work my way around the holder carefully separating the two half's. No need to employ a hammer.........
It certainly wouldn't be the first time some SleazeBay seller swapped coins in a Mint case. This is one of the continual problems you will find buying raw coins, even those in OGP, on SleazeBay. Some sellers just have no conscience. Chris
I've noticed that on a couple of the purchases that I've made from there recently...but to balance, a few of the things that I bought were pristine(like the '98 premier silver proof set, which barely even had any lint on the beautiful jet black felt case). I got the presidential coins for right around FV, so i didn't expect too much, but it is still a little disappointing.
