A while back I was visiting a local coin dealer here in WV. He no longer has a shop but I'll still not give a name. I took in a full centered obverse brockage Lincoln cent to get his expert opinion on what the coin was. I had no idea about such things then and he really did have the nicest coins around (and therefore knew the most about coins in my mind at the time). Anyhow, the coin was in a 2X2 and he asked if he could remove it to take a better look at the edge. I agreed and he removed the coin by peeling open the 2X2. He then began to look at the coin with a loupe and to rub my coin with his thumb rather firmly. Finally he decided that the coin was a real error and he put it back in another 2X2. Even then I knew how to handle coins properly but didn't say anything. I guess out of respect, he did have all of the nice coins, or maybe I just didn't know better. I couldn't figure out why he had rubbed the coin in such a manner until I looked at it again after I got home. Yes, there was a big fresh scratch right across the obverse. I still harbor a grudge over this. More that he tried to hide what had happed than that it happened in the first place. This person still sells at local shows and I just bypass his tables without taking a second look. I will say hi but I don't know if he knows why he's not getting my business. I feel better getting that off my shoulders. Maybe someone can learn from my mistakes and: 1. Don't let someone else take your coins out of the holder. You do it. 2. If something doesn't seem right, speak up. Respectfully of course. 3. Don't burn bridges.
Sounds as if you have learned a very valuable lesson. I see many dealers handle coins improperly. I don't automatically assume that any dealer knows more than anyone else. This is a very unregulated profession. Before I hand off a coin to anyone for their inspection, I spend a little time to get to know them. Many times in my tenure here, I have recommended making friends with your dealer. Will only benefit you and them.
Personally, I never ask to handle someone else's coin. Look at it through the holder, sure, but look, don't touch. I look at coin collecting as a gentleman's hobby. (Ladies too, of course), and as gentlemen, we should respect one another's property. Just curious, was it a staple that caused the scratch? Personally, I never use staples. Just too much risk involved.
Yes, It was the staple. I do still use staples but to remove a coin from a 2X2 (my own coins) I punch a little hole in the plastic with a toothpick and the coin comes right out.
Wow, i'm glad all my dealer goofs up on, is getting that triplet with the straps around his neck, caught on the cash register and choked ..... Kind of funny when I think about it, you figure he would use another method for keeping a triplet close by. But, on a serious note.... I would have went straight back to him, and showed him what he had done, and said that you knew what he had done, and knew that he had tried to cover it up, he should have known better than to take it out of the 2x2, especially with it having staples in it, that is an insurance policy for most every dealer that I know, you are the one who takes it out, or no one takes it out, period. I would call this example plain out DESTRUCTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY, and demand that an agreement be made that would call for both parties to be satisfied. Honestly, even if it's been a year or more, I would break down and go tell him about the little scenario that happend back on this and that date. Don't expect anything from him, just let him know that he should know better in the future. Regardless of what he says back to you, you will have it off your chest, if you feel good telling us about it, just think of how you will feel letting someone know that you won't ever do buisness with them because of their screw up. Hopefully he would learn from it.
It's a real shame that happened, but I definitely would have spoken up right then and asked him why he was rubbing the coin and politely asked him to stop (unless he was ready to purchase it). It's bad enough that he damaged your coin but then to try and cover it up is unforgiveable. We all make mistakes, but I would not do business with a dealer who scratched up a coin (that wasn't even his) and then rubbed it (doing more damage) in order to avoid facing the consequences of his actions. I wouldn't tolerate that in any profession.
