Ebay listing - NGC slab states UNC DETAILS coin. Seller states PROOF coin! What say you? I ask how do you polish a coin and make the fields reflective and leave with what looks like a fingerprint on the reverse and make the details looked frosty? Although the obverse kinda does look a bit polished. And for almost 20 Grand? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1893-Columbian-Commemorative-Half-Dollar-NGC-Details-Polished/190765937567?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=39107&meid=391126b0f08248b6adfdae8d045224c1&pid=100033&rk=7&rkt=8&sd=222290434882
I know exactly who's selling this coin, and, IMO, he's insane if he thinks anyone is going to buy this coin as is. I personally side with NGC on this one.
If this is the seller I'm thinking it is, He does go against the TPG'r and uses his own opinion to describe the coins then tries to sell them at ridiculous prices. But I was also wondering how can a coin be polished that makes the devices appear slightly frosted and the fields reflective but still retain a fingerprint?
This isnt the only coin Mr Leidman is trying to pass off as proof. Hes got some lincoln cents that have been cleaned and graded by PCGS that he swears are matte proofs!!
There is controversy about the Proof status of these coins. Decades ago this was probably considered/bought/sold as a proof. Research by the TPGS after 1986 has determined the die markers found on the coins they accept as genuine Proofs. This coin has a mirror surface as made. It has also been polished. The frost you see was on the coin as a cameo. Apparently, the polishing was not enough to destroy the frost seen on the reverse. As for the fingerprint, that happened after the polishing.
In my opinion, all of this seller's items are overpriced. I have made some very reasonable offers on his items and he has come back with nonsense like $3 off the posted price (on a $150+ item). If a coin catches my eye and I realize it's his, I just move on.
If he doesn't agree with the grade, why doesn't he send it to PCGS where he is a biggie? Bet he can get it graded for free. Obvious answer: It already has been with no better result. I think it's sad one of the biggies in the business is doing this on a routine basis. Anyway, I doubt I'd take a free coin from this dealer. Not trying to be sarcastic, but that's the way I feel.
Yeah, I've tried to buy from this dealer. In my limited experience (I gave up quickly), he doesn't move much on his often ridiculously high prices. That said, he's been around for a while so someone must be biting.
