I have a suspicious 1888 Morgan MS64, PCGS graded in a rattler holder. The issue is the certification number is 5022582, looking that up at PCGS lists a 1939 dime. http://www.pcgs.com/Cert/5022582.html It's a 'common' MS64 Morgan (lists for $65 on PCGS' guide). Bought off Ebay for $53.99 with shipping. That price is inline for other common ms-64 Morgans, though low for a rattler (which should have been a clue). I'm assuming it's probably counterfeit. Seller has 10+ years and perfect feedback. If this is counterfeit, I am sure he had no idea. My mistake was not checking the cert first. If that becomes a $53.99 lesson for me, then I'm fine with that. It could be a lot worse. I compared vs a legit MS 64 Morgan in a rattler holder, and can see no difference. Not sure if they made counterfeited common Morgans in rattler holders. PCGS does say "Data entry errors occasionally may occur causing the information on the coin holder to differ from the PCGS database." Any thoughts on whether it could be a mistake? I attached scans of the coin.
I'd send scans to PCGS and see what they can make of it. I guess it could be counterfeit but I'd also guess that it could just as easily be an accounting error. Good luck with it either way.
Few do show up and most are real. The rattlers were about 20 years ago. What database software was running then for small companies?Not very good ones! I was running Borland Paradox I think. Eventually over the years, with more "lookups" and relational tables rather than flat files, I suspect they have changed databases several times. I am surprised, they even have info on slabs that far back, and also not surprised it is incorrect. JIm
Thanks for the feedback, folks. Much appreciated. I emailed PCGS the scans, will let you know what they say. I suppose I could also resubmit it for grading, to be sure.
PCGS answered my email: "[FONT="]This coin will have to be sent in as a mechanical error for correction. Please fill out a submission form, mark "Other" as the service level, write in "Mechanical Error" and include a short note on the form describing the error. There is no charge or return shipping fees for the correction." [/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT]I am shipping it today, will keep you posted.
Doug How can you say that? It is an old rattler slab, and the pictures are too blurry to see anything.
If it were a fake slab, then it would make a great educational display to demonstrate a deceiving fake slab. You display it with a sign that says: "This slab is not for sale, do you know why?". (Worth more as a fake than the $60 generic slab which PCGS is going to return if it is real :smile).
I know that. But even the rattlers had raised pieces on the corners that allowed the slabs to stack together. That one does not. Reckon we'll see what PCGS says when they get it.
Look here and show me the raised pieces for stacking on the first 4 slabs. http://sampleslabs.com/pcgs.html And, here is a picture of my non-stacking slab. Are you saying it is also fake? BTW, its number checks out.
I also have a non-stacking PCGS slab, somewhere. Probably slid off my desk, without the corners to hold it down. .........it must be down here somewhere!
I see nothing to make me think it's fake and do believe they made more accounting errors back then while still getting a system down. But time will tell... PCGS will lets us know soon enough it sounds. And from what I remember OGH's did not have stackable corners at all. But I'll have to get to the safty box to check.
I had a non-stacking rattler once. My first $10 libbie (MS63, got it off of E-bay). Sent it in to PCGS, upgraded to MS64.