Fingerprints after grading

Long story short. I've been a client of NGC since 2010. Know these games very well. However last submission is something exceptional. Got 3 (THREE!!!) high value coins with fingerprints which were not there when I sent the coins for grading. Customer service told me to return the coins for "appearance review". So the coins will go through conservation, re-grading and should get the same grades. Free of charge. Ok, done. Now guess what? I got this email today.

Sure, it's not the end of the world but I fed up. The company does not take any responsibility and puts all blame on customer.
Funny thing, I submitted these coins for third time and they came back in slightly better grades than before. There are 3 pictures of each coin in NGC database. Two pictures don't have any fingerprints and last one has. Just an example from their database:




My conclusion is either to put fingerprints on coins to get better grades or... NGC is just unprofessional and greedy company.

P.S. Noticed a finger print on the slab at the top picture. Probably they also would blame me

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Another coin. Previous submission.

Last one.

Fingerprint is at 2 o'clock. It is not so obvious on the picture but very visible in hands.

 

Try contacting Scott Schechter and explain your problem to him.

Chris

 

Tell them to check their own database to prove that they are new. Did you crack them out before sending, or were they sent still within the slabs?

 

Do you have any pictures (proof) of them before you sent them in?

 

Thanks, will try that.

Of course, I cracked them out. There is none to zero chance to get a better grade when you send a slabbed coin. I am collecting coins for more than 10 years. I will never touch my coins (especially in this price range) by unprotected hands.

It does not prove anything. I was told by NGC representative an hour ago that "We got the coins in this state". In other words it means "either I did it or Fedex worker opened the box and put all fingerprints before the box was delivered to NGC office".

Btw, I had a long conversation with NGC. I asked if you got these coins with fingerprints why I was not informed that they need conservation service. Response - "It is opt to grader. Grader may think that fingerprints don't impact coin appearance." Just no comments.

 

It's all about money. What can one expect?

 

Sorry for the pain I wonder how they got there.

 

I'm going to trust NGC did not print the coins. It's possible but I don't think so. Prints can take time to show. Once they do, it's a gamble if they can be removed without trashing the coin.

 

Not just NGC. One recent-ish buy had some very tiny green/pvc spots that I didn't see before buying. I was taking pictures and saw them on my computer screen and when I went back and looked at the true views there they were. Teensy, but there. Sent it in under the guarantee but was returned with no action taken even though it was there before slabbing. Very irritating.

 

I still send a lot of coins to NGC and PCGS, but not as many as last year. Last year I was doing my taxes and saw that I spent something like $7500 with TPG's and CAC... and it WASN'T a good year for me profit-wise. I wanted to throw up. This year I've been way more conservative with my submissions, and I haven't played the upgrade game. And guess what?!? I've been making more money selling this year!

 

That is awful. I was told they do not wear gloves as accidents can happen then as they can't feel the coins.
I know I have never dropped one with gloves on yet.
It is a great way to destroy the eye appeal of a beautiful coin. Heck you should check out the
Canadaian 1921 50 cent piece going up for auction soon. For a coin worth over 200,000.00 it is a tragedy that it has a finger print on it.

 

Emphasis mine. The TPG's know as well as anyone the potential harm from fingerprints, yet they still find handling coins without gloves to be the lesser risk.

 

Fingerprints etched into coins should be details graded.

 

I always wondered if anyone were ever identified by their fingerprint on a coin. Could you run it through the FBI database? Inquiring minds (with too little on them) want to know.

 

I disagree, but hey, that's me.

 

If it was another type of acid/oil that was etched permanently into the coin
it would be details. Why are fingerprints exempt? The surface has been damaged.

 

There are too many coins out there with prints to call them all details.

 

No, that's just called toning! Whether it's induced by heat, sulfur, a leather pouch, old cardboard albums.... are you asserting that any coin not blast white is a details coin?