Do you think this deserves an MS-65? http://cgi.ebay.com/PCGS-MS65-1920-French-Indo-China-20-Cent-Ex-Pittman_W0QQitemZ330229207025QQihZ014QQcategoryZ534QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I can't even make out any facial details! Is this another example of pedigree overgrading or something more sinister... it is from China after all. My bad... not a dollar at all, more like 20 centimes!
They are rather expensive, I'd have to say that one was weakly struck and probably got the bump to 65 because of the pedigree. Here is an AU example - Click Here
Good catch ! I agree, I was so busy looking at the coin I didnt notice the location. It may well be a fake slab too given the value of the coin.
Doug, I would think the face of Liberty would be a key point in grading this coin, and that AU example you posted has twice the detail of this "MS-65" as far as I can tell from the pics. Might be a bad picture, but it was this lack of detail AND the fact that the seller is from China that prompted me to post it here. I've grown quite fond of French coins lately but I think this is one to avoid. I think I send a quick email to PCGS about the auction too, just in case.
You're absolutely right. As I tried to explain, obviously very poorly, I made the assumption that because of the slab the coin was genuine, and I was doing my best to try and figure out why it got it the grade it did. Not that I always agree with any TPG, but especially not PCGS. But even they aren't that bad. Just goes to show ya, ANYBODY can make huge mistakes. I never even glanced at the seller or where he was from - I just made assumptions - invalid assumptions.
It's ok everyone makes mistakes. It is what the seller wants, someone just needs to inform the high bidder that this coin is a fraud!!!! Tom
I contacted PCGS about it last night and I got a confirmation email before the auction ended. They said they'd check into it. They didn't pull the auction before it ended, but on the bright side it didn't get any bidders.
I also contacted PCGS and they promptly replied: "This appears to be a legitimate coin and slab. Thanks for watching out for us. Best wishes, Ron Guth President Professional Coin Grading Service" Just goes to show how the power of suggestion can cloud the issue. I too would have thought it fake but I too would have been wrong. I still have problems understanding the grade it received but PCGS knows more than I so I will trust their judgment over mine. But I won't hesitate sending them a link for verification of a questionable slabbed coin. Ribbit Ps: Tis always better to be safe than sorry! I like the fact that PCGS wants us to send them links to questionable slabbed PCGS coins and they respond promptly. I'm still awaiting word from NCS and it's been 3 weeks since I first contacted them on the NCS slabbed coin I had doubts about. PCGS replied within a hour. That says something! Ribbit - Ribbit - Ribbit
At least you were right before you were wrong and not wrong before you were right. I'm usually the opposite. :headbang: Ribbit
I am located in Beijing and know what 'coins' are available here at the local markets. This type is not one of them. Not all Beijinger's are crooks you know ;-) But yes - I would be careful with everything from here. If anyone is seriously interested I could drop by and check it out - would be great meeting fellow coin buffs here.
