Questionable Practice

I was looking for a particular coin variety slabbed either PCGS or NGC.
I found one listed by a CDN Member.
He had personally added the variety type to the slab.
It is quite obvious from the image that the TPG had NOT added the attribution.
But the listing title incorporates all that information: TPG, grade, attribution.

Actually I don't know what a CDN Member is, but I see a number of better sellers with that logo on their listings.
Somehow personally adding information to a TPG label doesn't seem to fit with what I suspect is a reputable organization.

BTW in this particular case I believe the added attribution is correct.

Should this behavior be reported?
Note that I have not included a link to the listing at this point.
If it's an offence that should be reported I have the information.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Honestly, I feel like it would only be sketchy if they had printed a new label to cover the entire original obverse label (EDIT: or tried to change information like the grade or serial number.) If they're just adding an unattributed variety (say, one that PCGS does not attribute at this time) then as a seller you'd want your buyers to see that it's there to justify a potential bump in price or find your potential buyer (plus, you'd want to remember it's there or risk forgetting.)

If they're trying to pass the slab off as already attributed, that's an issue. But if they're just adding their own notes (in whatever form, either a sticker or an extra label that doesn't cover the original) I don't see it being at all dishonest.

Example: I believe the Ike Group applies "DIVa" little red stickers for Designated Ike Variety Attribution, especially for coins where either the variety isn't attributed already or it's not currently recognized by the major TPG.

FWIW CDN member is the Coin Dealer Exchange group. I'm not a member nor am I promoting them, just providing the link so you can read up and decide for yourself.

 

AN EXCLUSIVE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL COIN DEALERS YOU CAN TRUST

 

I agree with @stldanceartist
If it is the correct variety and they are just pointing it out with an additional sticker, I'm ok with that. If they are representing it as something that came from the grading company or have the wrong variety, then it is problematic.

 

I agree with this assessment.

 

As long as the coin is actually the indicated variety I have no problem with it.

If I buy a rare variety in a PCGS slab but it isn't identified as such, are you saying I'm "sketchy" if I try to sell it as that variety unless I pay additional money to PCGS?

 

Nope.
If I have an unattributed slab of a coin variety that is worth more and I list it for sale, I'm definitely going identify the variety.
But I'm not going to alter the appearance of the slab it's in even though in this case the alteration does not appear permanent.
I'm curious about what PCGS would say about this but I'm not going to rattle the cage if the consensus thinks this is of no consequence.

 

See, I'm on the fence about this one. Someone took great care to replicate the font and size PCGS used. Now, was that the previous owner of the coin or the dealer? I could see someone doing this to try and fool a buyer but I could also see someone (like me) who would be bothered by some kind of big decal or other thing on the slab and trying to make it look more "natural" for the sake of eye appeal.

If it were me selling this coin I would probably note in the description that the attribution, while accurate, was not come by PCGS.

 

In general I would say no unless they are trying to make up a new variety. That said it is borderline at best to try and make it look like the slab labeling like the picture posted and any additional attributions should be made in a different manner.

 

Interesting that this was listed by a big time dealer that many people would probably recognize and vouch for.
In the description of the listing there isn't any mention of the dealer adding the sticker with the variety. They probably thought buyers would realize it was an add-on and not from PCGS? Also, the first picture in the listing is just the coin (the full slab is the last picture).

I still don't have a big issue with it, but I can see how others might not like it (and see reason to call it deceiving).

 

My gut tells me this is how the dealer acquired the coin. It should probably mention in the description that the attribution was added to the slab...but I don't think there is anything really wrong here.

 

Honestly, when you posted the actual image, I had a moment where I thought, "Well.....hmm."

Like, it's borderline for me - even though it's kind of exactly what I imagined it to look like, the font seems close enough to PCGS font that (if it were me) I'd definitely describe the added label as something I'd added if I were to list it online.

I don't think I'd get too bent out of shape over it from a buyer's perspective (there are plenty of other things to save that for these days) but I see more where you're coming from. Honestly, I'd just ask the seller for their reasoning. If you get a satisfying answer, relax and move on. If you get a hostile or indifferent response, then maybe...a politely-worded note suggesting they at least consider adding that to the listing.

But, as always, just my opinion.

 

The real problem is that from a buyers standpoint with how it is denoted with that sticker it will be significantly harder to sell if they decide to. There's very upfront ways to denote a variety that is easy for people to read, to much effort was put into that sticker and if you aren't a big dealer you will likely get accused of being a scammer

 

Have you run the PCGS code to validate the inclusion? I would think that PCGS would replace the slab rather than add a sticker to the outside that could be removed. Maybe I'm missing something. My thought and opinion only.

 

PCGS didn't add the sticker.

 

And therein lies the problem. The sticker is deceptive and looks like it is trying to mimic the PCGS font.

I didn't have a problem with the addition of the sticker until I saw the photo. IMO, that sticker is very deceptive and if I tried to sell that on E-Bay, I would fully expect a return and negative feedback, and both would be deserved.

 

I agree. The idea of it I had no issue with, the sticker yea I can see the issue and know I would likely get dragged through the coals if I tried to sell something like that

 

I think we need to be careful about assuming motivation.

Would it make a difference if I told you I had owned this coin years ago, noticed the variety and put that sticker on the slab for my own reference in my collection...only to sell the coin some time later. Now, I didn't do this (I've never owned a slabbed IHC)...but I do think that this is a different scenario than a dealer placing it on there in an attempt to "deceive." My guess is this is how the coin came into the dealer's possession.

I'd be curious to see how this coin is listed online. It seems that the photo of the slab is pretty clear that it is added after slabbing. If I were selling it, I would be sure to note that the attribution was not done by PCGS.

That being said, I could be totally wrong. But, I do think just the photo alone doesn't tell the story.

 

My point is that if that was my coin in my inventory, I would remove the label and make the case in my description as to why the coin is the variety in question. The fact that it was put there before I obtained the coin doesn’t absolve me of the responsibility to ensure that my listings aren’t deceptive.