I received a PF70, a perfect ASE (?) from Heritage this afternoon. I was very disappointed in the condition of the coin. The slab has many scratches on both front and back that detract from the PF70 coin. Perhaps I'm being too picky, but when I purchase a coin graded PF70 I expect to receive a slab which is maybe not perfect, but a lot cleaner than the one I received. Shouldn't the condition of the slab be disclosed in the auction description? It certainly has an impact on the price I am willing to pay. What's your opinion?
Since Heritage recommends to its seller that all coins which are raw get graded before auction, they should also ask for re-holdering. (Heritage's auction customers do get special pricing when they submit coins). Sellers working through them and the TPG's, should be able to perform the re-holdering without too much trouble. Anything which affects the auction price of the coin must be disclosed, including the condition of the slab.
Those look like some pretty ugly scratches. I've had luck removing light scratches from mint and proof sets as well as slabs by using " Kit ' Sratch Out' ". I tape the edges real well so nothing will seep into the slab and use just enough to work on a small are at one time. It is a lot of work but it is seems to take out or hide the scratches. It is worth a shot. zeke
That is a pet peeve of mine also and it happens from other auction sources as well. They should have it reholdered or disclose the information in the listing.
"Acceptable"? IMO, No... The coin may be what the slab says, but if you can't enjoy the coin without breaking it out, and therefore devaluing it tremendously, then you got ripped off. If you have to pay for reslabbing, you got ripped off. If you have to pay for polish, then sit for an hour/hours and rub it, hoping it works out, you got ripped off.
It's a piece of plastic designed to protect the coin; it's going to get scratched. The coin will not. That is it's purpose.
Dave: I won a Teletrade auction last year. When I received the coin, the holder has a slight crack in it. The coin was great but the holder was distracting to me. I contacted Teletrade right away, and they had it reholdered for me at their cost (including shipping both ways). I suggest you contact Heritage. Good luck! TC
Here's how I look at it. You are buying the coin. The grade pertains to the coin only. Yes, a scratched slab is annoying, and from what I can see in your case, I would find it VERY annoying. But let's extrapolate a bit. You buy the same coin in a perfect slab. Then YOU scratch it. Are you going to send it in for reslabbing? I suspect not. Invest in a scratch removal product (I use Novus) and take care of it yourself. Probably a LOT easier to do than dealing with Heritage. Less stress. And you can use for other scratched slabs. WOW!!! The slab looked pristine in the auction pictures. I believe you have a case if you wish to pursue it. But for the price you paid you easily got your money's worth.
+1 I feel your pain about the slab but think you're shooting the messenger. Heritage moves so much consigned stuff that I can't imagine how they could describe slabs to each viewer's satisfaction. They don't even describe coins worth less than $1K. Slab scratches come with the territory; I use Novus polish to make 'em look better. Or you could pay to re-holder, as was mentioned.
Re-Slabed PF70 now looks "perfect" My re-slabed PF70 ASE arrived today. :hail: Heritage agreed to do the work at their expense. I'm very pleased with the outcome. Here is a comparison of the before and after:
I had a similar problem with a currency holder it was scratched up and some word,s Were missing! they went ahead and got it reholdered for me free of charge
Wow, congrats! I would never have thought Heritage would do that. Wouldn't they be afraid of opening the floodgates? Hmm, I have a nice NGC large cent with a tiny piece of fuzz right on the obverse field.
