Hello Cointalkers. It's been a long time since I posted. I still have "My Father's Collection" in tact! (see old posts for an outstanding collection) I have not added any coins or bullion since 2022. But I found a few coins at a garage sale and could not resist. The middle-aged man had 20 abandoned storage units he was liquidating. So, since it was his business, I figured he should know the worth of the items he purchased. I got three Pandas (one PCGS and two NGC)slabs, one Chinese round and a 1918 Buffalo nickel all for $100. I quickly verified the slabs on PCGS/NGC and they were in the database. The round, I couldn't verify, could be counterfeit. The man had been to Asia. My question is: since the slabs are in the database does that guarantee 100% authentic? Or is there still some question? PCGS has a "value" of $40 on the Pandas, but it's an ounce of silver?!? Ebay, etc. has sold items for $99ish. What is the value of the Pandas, please? Thanks for your time. Rosethe
Yes... If the slabs are in the database and you don't get a message to contact PCGS when you look it up, then yes it is authentic.
It isn't like that. If you search an authentication on PCGS and they know there is some funny business with that certification, you will get a message to contact PCGS.
I've looked up quite a few fake slabs and the cert was still active, so that's not foolproof. I think it's NGC that says "contact customer service" but PCGS just gives cert not found. One line of defense is to install a free barcode/QR reader and scan it. The coin ID, grade and cert# should be in the result and match the coins. Slab fakers often recycle the barcode for a bunch of labels and often it's not even the same coin type, or the barcode doesn't scan at all, or it returns garbage. I don't see anything wrong with these but the image isn't that great. Bullion value of each of the pandas is currently $75 so it kinda falls in the too good to be true category...
