CNN story on an uncirculated 1933 Double Eagle auction

So... the first thought that comes to my mind is: why is Sothebys providing a picture of someone mashing the multi-million dollar gold coin between a bare thumb and forefinger...

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/three-treasures-sothebys-coin-stamps/index.html

 

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Incredible mishandling. Why is that not slabbed?

 

What blows my mind even more is that the little purple stamp might go for more!

 

That’s big news! How much do you think it will sell for?

I also wonder why it isn’t slabbed though. Of course a huge auction house like Sotheby’s wouldn’t sell a fake, but at least for protection purposes?

 

Edited!

 

Is this the same 1933 Double Eagle which has been auctioned before or is this a different one that has been allowed to be owned?

 

Randy... I'm really surprised at your... misinformation... on this particular item.

The coin was certified by PCGS, but it is not in a holder (buyer can put it in a holder if they wish). Article here: https://coinweek.com/us-coins/pcgs-certifies-ultra-rare-1933-saint-gaudens-double-eagle-gold-coin/

This coin is the Farouk Specimen which sold a few years ago for a record price. It was legitimized and authorized by the US mint. This coin is perfectly legal to own.

 

I was misinformed…. Perhaps I should do a little research before I open my big trap!

 

Don't feel bad, we all make mistakes. My dear old dad used to say : that's why they put erasers on pencils

 

Ok. That’s answers my question. Thank you.

 

Because that's how you hold a raw coin

Only the consignor can answer that question. PCGS graded it and the winner can have it slabbed for free if they want, I don't understand why the consignor didn't want it slabbed though

 

Maybe, but that's not how I'd hold a raw coin that sold for $7.6 million 19 years ago, and that I'm trying to sell at auction now. Actually, I would not hold it at all.

 

I'd have it in it's PCGS slab, but its not so thats really just how you have to hold it until it is

 

It’s being held by the rim. I don’t understand why this is an issue. That’s how you hold a coin.

 

If she holds that coin any tighter she's going to flip it into the air like Paddyman's avatar.

Not quite the rim, but if you're modeling a multimillion dollar coin I suppose you don't want to slip and clatter it off the table and onto the floor.

I suppose the oily fingerprints will come at no extra charge.

 

My apologies to all for the blatantly incorrect information I posted last night. I have thought for years that the only authorized '33 double eagles were in the National Collection at the Smithsonian and that the few in private hands were considered stolen. Boy was I wrong on that one. I am vocal about incorrect information being shared on this site and boy was I guilty of doing exactly that. My most sincere apologies are extended to all.

 

I think the off angle of the photo is making it look funny. She’s holding the coin safely.

 

No worries Randy, we each share information we have available at the time. And that's what this forum is for: to learn new information and correct any we may have misremembered or misheard. No damage was done.

Luckily this was just a fluff thread I started anyway. No serious informative value was expected.

 

First thought that came to mind when I look at the picture: is this just a placeholder they're using in that picture from CNN? I don't see the same mark on Liberty's knee that I've seen in other recent pictures of the coin

 

Those fingerprints could, and should, be avoided by using either a rubber or cotton glove! Just sayin'.