When a realistic counterfeit slab is created...

Thanks for you thoughts guys. Even the collectors in Florida. Even if it does take time for them to count votes. 1...2...4...7... ;-)

 

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I think what Mark was saying was that the older rarer coin would be a fake in a fake slab. Much too expensive to even buy a lower grade coin to put in the slab. Some of the rarer coins are unique and dealers would instantly recognize those. At least that is what I think he is saying.

 

Is there anyone who thinks PCGS will NOT got to a published photo format? I would put a wager on that they do, they must know that they have to.

 

As for the 6 point prediction, change PCGS to NGC and that has already happened.

 

Yup. And most every coin will have a minor blemish or imperfection somewhere that cannot be perfectly matched if they even bother to attempt to match it off of the sites' pictures. How would you accurately replicate a luster break or a natural stain or even a scratch or bag mark on a coin? Usually even MS67 examples have something unique about them if NGC has photographed them recently.

 

Some of the coins and images will allow for identification, but others will not. One particular area of concern to me is high grade modern coinage that is very uniform in appearance. Often, tiny flaws account for grade differences and they probably wont be obvious in the images. Also, unfortunately, many buyers will buy coins without checking them out on-line, first.

 

Try replicating toning patterns. I guess my collection is safe.

 

I strongly suspect that you are correct.

 

I agree. Mark also makes a good point. All of those modern MS-68 and MS-69 coins could be removed an placed into a fake MS-70 slab and even the best photographs would not help.

Not my problem though, I don't collect moderns. I think it's kind of silly to pay for a common modern in MS-70 over MS-69. To those who do, I don't look down at you in the least. But you are going to have a real challenge here in the very near future.

 

Another problem is the NGC images are scans of the coins in the slab, not photos of the coin before it was slabbed and the scans are often not of the best quality. In many cases they are not suitable for positive identification of the coin.

 

The whole counterfeiting thing, coins and slabs, should be a giant wake-up call to the coin "industry". Unless the TPGs and dealer organizations stir it up with publicity and government action, we all will find ourselves on a slippery slope.

This is war, and the good guys need to win. Every tool in the box should be placed in use to preserve our hobby and the markets!