I have this coin in a PCGS genuine holder with code 94, altered surfaces. I've looked at every square millimeter of the coin at 20x, and I don't see anything wrong with it. It has great luster, nice toning, and, at 20x, I can easily see the metal flow lines from the original die strike. The person who sold it to me (an experienced numismatist of over 40 years in the business) has examined it closely under his microscope and come to the same conclusion. What might I be missing? I know this thread might be more useful with pictures, but I don't have the setup to take them, and I'm not even sure what I'd be looking for.
Lol, ok guys... have your 'likes.' Now, seriously... altered surfaces. I have no idea what they could be seeing.
Is it round or octagonal? More info is needed, can you have someone you know take a photo with a cell phone or something?? Takes about 3 minutes
The Altered Surfaces code covers a lot of territory, there could be any number of things wrong with the coin. I could be something as simple as a single wipe mark to light harsh cleaning, or light whizzing or even thumbing. The surfaces might have even been altered chemically. I guess the point I'm trying to get across is that it is not unusual for some not to recognize altered surfaces when they see it. It is also not uncommon to not be able to see it in pictures, even for those who are very familiar with it.
Paul, their ouija board sniffer might have turned up a chemical element on it. That's just how they play in those fancy-shootin' PCGS Genuine slabs. You know the routine, to "protect" us dummies from the "doctors." Their "sniffer" detects a something on their list, I don't care what the coin looks like, under whatever the magnification, it's a goner. That's not to say there's anything wrong it. The only thing that's wrong is in their warped minds...
I've looked at the entire coin (and I do mean the entire coin) under 20x under strong light. It looks perfectly normal. I don't see any trace of residue, but I do see original flow lines from the die strike. 27188734. Unfortunately, there is not a picture there, either. Nope, it's a Mercury dime. Lol... it's octagonal. Sure, I could take a terrible cell phone picture later today, but I don't think it will show anything but a pretty coin at best, or a blurry pretty coin at worst.
Take a photo in natural light (window seal) & another photo in a well lit room (bathroom?) Then maybe another under a lamp, then see which image looks closest to in-hand. Even though the photos might not be very good, ill bet we can figure it out. There are some great minds here, and on top of that, I REALLY WANNA SEE THIS COIN!! I love a good mystery, and merc dimes too!
And considering Doug's words above, even the best of images might not help. Also to be considered is the possibility that PCGS was flat mistaken.