Yesterday someone mentioned that I should check the edges of an NGC slabbed SLQ . I always thought that NGC , PCGS , etc. slabs were tamperproof , I quess not . My question is , how do you tell if a slab has bee tampered with . Any oppinions greatly needed . rzage
I know there have been reports of fake NGC slabbs but I have not heard of them being tampered with. If so I would imagine that they would be on more then just SLQs
NGC's slabs are sonically sealed. This means the two halves are fused together. If the slab is tampered with in an effort to separate the two halves the plastic will most likely be broken. (Sorry it took me so long to respond. I was outside doing yard work.)
I'd first concentrate on the coin, itself, and see if it looks right for the assigned grade. Also look at the edges of the slab. If an NGC slab has been tampered with, there will probably be some evidence of it having been glued back together. Another suggestion would be to buy only from well known dealers with good reputations and/or from sellers who offer reasonable return privileges. As nervous as you sounded, my guess would be that you might not have much of a grasp on grading. If that is the case, you might consider learning more before spending additional funds on coins.
Some of the older ones could be forced open without causing them to break, at least to an easily noticeable extent. NGC has since changed the plastic in order to make their holders more tamper evident.
Chill out You're right , I guess I'm a little antsy today cause I , was thinking about it all day at work . Rusty:goofer:
Mark see this post http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=37178. I think he is talking about the SLQ.
The coin itself is probably properly graded except for the full head designation. It has beatiful rainbow toning , which kind of blinded me from looking more closely . I bought in one of Chicago's biggest & oldest dealers . Also at the time I wasn't aware of what a full head SLQ entailed.
tampered.................. i think i would really be suspicious if the coin in question came from china!
Thanks Thanks for the pictures they're worth 1000 words , mine doesnt look anything like that , the seems are even & there are no apparent glue marks . rzage