In the past as now, Heritage provided full-slab photos of all coins. But they also provided closeups of medium to high-end coins. Now, I’ve noticed that Heritage is using PCGS TrueView images, when available, instead of taking their own closeup photos. This is probably saving money even if they are paying PCGS for the privilege. But it’s a shame. The Heritage and PCGS closeups were never quite the same … sometimes very different. I find it useful to see as many photos as possible of a potential purchase. Formerly, I could look at the Heritage images, then go to the PCGS website and look at their images for a different perspective. No more. Cal
From a thread on CU earlier this year, it seemed around 50% of people wanted TruView images to be included at the major auction houses. There wasn't much talk if they wanted to see the auction house photos go away. I imagine HA has seen a demand for TruViews and at the same time a way to cut the costs of doing their own close-ups. The TruView cost is minimal. Plus some coins sent to auction already have the photo, so all HA has to do is download and post it.
HA is also using NGC photos as well. I see advantages to this - the TruView is a standardized product and I know how to interpret the images. Counterpoint - I've also learned to interpret Heritage images. Each image is going to have its own style, its own high points and disadvantages. You just have to learn how the images compare to the coin in hand.
A complete tangent...but... Why can't people spell "TrueView"? (Not the OP - he got it right!) It is not spelled "TruView" My thoughts on TrueView images are summarized here. They are good quality in terms of sharpness, but the color correction can be wildly variable.
I don't know. I must have seen it somewhere as "TruView" and just copied along without realizing it is "TrueView"...plus it's one less letter to type.
Oh, you're NOT the only one! I think it may be spelled incorrectly more often than it is spelled correctly.
