I like and have a lot of Eisenhower dollar coins, but I really don't get into the "S" mint marks too much. However, I recently got a "good deal" on a Lot of S's on Ebay. 3 of the coins are in plastic holders marked SGS PR70 CAM. It looks official or whatever, but how do I know that a previous owner didn't just get ahold of such holders and put the coins in them? One of the holders came open easily, I left the other 2 alone. I did not purchase these coins based on this 70 rating, which I think is supposed to be the best, they just came that way. They do look almost flawless but I have always wondered when I see others on Ebay marked this way why couldn't someone just put any coin into a marked holder that way. Thanks!
SGS is a basement slabber, keep looking on ebay, every coin they "grade" is a 70. So what your saying is pretty much exactly what they do, they buy the holder and put them in and call it a 70, and the prices for those coins reflect that, people know what there getting into with SGS and pay according to the coin, not the slab.
SGS is a "grading company" owned and operated by an Ebay seller. All SGS slabbed coins are MS 70 and PF 70, whether deserving of the grade or not. (overwhelmingly not) There are many threads here on CT with info on SGS. Here on CT, as well as, elsewhere, SGS is not a respected TPG. If you want to be able to trust the grade, stick with PCGS, NGC and ANACS.
But I still wonder what would prevent anyone from putting any coin into a PCGS etc. coin holder? How would I know it is official?
PCGS and NGC have on line cert verification pages. Chinese counterfeiters have been known to make phony slabs, so your best bet is to buy from respected and trusted dealers. If you are not sure of a seller, ask here first.
