Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Owle, post: 2233808, member: 22004"]I hope someone does a thoroughly researched piece on this topic at some point.  Yes absolutely they use harsh chemicals and work on coins best left alone.  And sometimes they get lucky with ED coins that dip out nicely.  Remember one of their biggest money makers have been the shipwreck coins that look nothing like the original coins of the same gold denom. and year.  And remember how PCGS had the good sense to tell Kagins that they were not up to doing the Saddle Ridge coins properly with out affecting the surfaces adversely.  So Kagin's guy McCarthy ended up using boiling water instead of the chemical methods. A couple quick examples--I showed a $20 Lib. to David Lange at an ANA show and he said a spot on the coin "might spread" if left unattended! I have never seen a spot spread like disease on a gold coin.  They ended up charging their larcenous 5% to "conserve" the coin; ie a quick dip in acetone or similar chemical!  Another classic over $10K gold coin they ruined with a dip, in the judgment also of a high end dealer I bought it from. I wrote a strong letter demanding a refund without getting any response. I should have filed a complaint with the state AG.[/QUOTE]