You are right about that. This is where many people get rip off and it will s their own faults because they all depended on the slab and the seller. If you can't see that it isn't BU and you will have many junk in your collection.
Yes, I have a lot to learn. Only bought two Peace dollars so far, so I will learn about grading before I continue.
Last I checked, you were just prohibited from stating it explicitly in the title or description. That may have changed since.
Here's what it says here: A coin graded by a non-approved grading company can be listed, but the numeric grade can't be included in the title, description, or item specifics. You can't include an image of the coin in its graded holder if that image shows a grade that is not completely obscured and unreadable on the photo.
That is what is known as a "basement grader" and that is not an NGC coin - but an NCG (basically a scammer that is trying to trip up a new collector - like you for instance!) You can go to NGC and PCGS sites to cross-reference and verify the coin. A 1925-S in NGC MS-66 is a true treasure find. What you saw was a low grade coin and it was obviously worn in multiple areas - not an MS (Mint State) coin. Here is an MS-64 Peace Dollar from NGC Notice the fullness and depth in the hair, the broad luster on the eagle's shoulder, the toning and depth of the overall strike. It will take you a while to learn to grade coins and of course - understand what is a legit coin and what is a scam - so be careful, ask lots of questions and learn slowly. If it's too good to be true....
Hey Brett, thank you for the example, seeing it with your comments definitely helps. What is the yellowing that I see?
That is toning, probably from reaction to foreign substance. It's possible that the coin was taped into a book at some point, or something was laying over the edges exposing the coin to the air in different areas - that is my guess.
Any rubbing on the surface of the coin is likely to leave hairlines that will reduce the value of the coin.
to never clean a coin is good advice when you're new to the hobby. But after a year or so, if you're skilled and want to take a risk, you can try some things. If it's good enough, these touch ups would be considered conservation, or better yet, remain unknown. Look at a lot of cleaned and damaged coins on ebay, in NGC and PCGS holders. That'll help your knowledge base. And i hate repeating this but this is the most important: buy the book before the coin (credited to alan hubert? or someone else?).
That is very useful reading and it sounds as if we should be reporting the seller in the original posting to Ebay everytime he lists until he gives up! BTW the policy varies from Ebay Country to country. Here is the UK Policy on coins and stamps: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/currstamps.html which makes no mention of gradings at all. This is not surprising as the use of grading companies here is very much lower than in the US. Bear it in mind though when your research brings up coins listed in other countries.
that's a great book and guide. But i really suggest a beginner's guide to the hobby. I think Alan Hubert has a great one, maybe Scott Travers as well. I read several of these intro books and they all add something another one missed or didn't cover well. After these books, you could choose to gain specific knowledge in one or a few areas
@CoinBoyBryan you may want to get Jason's book, it's a great reference: The Art and Science of Grading Coins https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Grading-Coins/dp/1492356107 By the way, he's a member here too.