I've looked at many a coin on heritage auctions, and it seems to me like newer auctions (past 2 years or so) have dishonest pictures. Some of these coins look like they are in much better condition than they are. If you look at the old pictures, they show dings and the like. Am I crazy, or is this really the case?
http://coins.heritagegalleries.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=395&Lot_No=26481&src=pr That one is from 2006 http://coins.heritagegalleries.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=23113&Lot_No=13406&src=pr that one is from 2003. The make the one from 2006 look like it has the nicest eye appeal, and it conceals marks, without getting a very blown up picture
Both pics blow up huge for me, but I agree that the lighting on the one from 2005 could certainly be better. But if you compare both coins, the '05 image has numerous small marks but the '03 image has about 4 major marks and very few small ones. This seems to me to be a case of two coins getting the same grade for different reasons. That's perfectly normal. Now - did they take the pic purposely with the high glare - dunno. But I see no reason why they would have when you can blow up the pic and see every little hit and ding anyway.
I think you can see the dings easily when you click the pictures, but all the coins that are high grade recently (morgan dollars), have very high glare IMO.
Send Heritage an email and tell them about it. They tend to listen to customers. It might be due to something simple like the guy taking the pics - it could be due to anything. Over the years I have seen what I consider to be some very good pics on Heritage, but I've also seen some very bad ones. But that can be said about anybody.
Indeed, I have seen some of the best pictures I have ever seen on their site. And I will write them an email, and update this thread if and when I get a response.
Their new photo technique just introduced in the past few months...well...sucks. I don't know how else to say it. They do a horrible job of displaying the coin's luster. I've since stopped buying coins from them because I have no idea what I'm going to get in the mail. Their signature auctions still have the better pics, but the rest of their more affordable coins use the new technique. It's really too bad....Mike
