NGC Fixed the Designation on My Triple Clip Off Center Lincoln

I posted this coin on the CU forum a while ago when it was designated as a Double Curved Clip Off Center, and Sean (an expert error guy) pointed out that NGC had incorrectly labeled it since it actually had THREE curved clips, the third clip being the one on the right that sort of looks straight but in actuality is slightly curved (I had thought the right edge was a fragmented planchet since it wasn't even). I showed it to NGC at the ANA and they agreed and promptly (I mean within a couple hours) fixed the label and reholdered it for me.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

My experience working with the NGC people is that they are nothing but aiming to please. Apparently yours was the same.

 

very cool coin!

 

I still think that it might be a chain strike that caused that flat area near the design.

 

Nice coin Charmy!

 

Very nice error Charmy. How does someone come about one of these coins? Do these coins actually make it out into circulation? or is there an insider that sneaks these coins out to the highest bidder? Just curious.

 

Probably both. Some do make it out accidentally, but some I am sure, and history has shown, secretly remove them and sell them on the open market. However, after I believe 2001 or 2002 (some correct me if I'm wrong), the mint had much stricter quality control and less errors were slipping through.

 

Thats what I figured. Thanks for responding.

 

One point that seems to have been missed is that it was originally labeled incorrectly. What does that say about the grader's ability to identify an error?

 

Well, to be fair, the third clip is not easily detected as a "curved clip" until you take the Blakely affect into consideration on the opposite side of the rim. While I agree they need to make sure their errors are correctly designated, this third clip was easy to miss as being "curved."

 

Awesome Coin!!

 

I think that is a little harsh.

 

They are supposed to be experts and their words are on the slabs. They get paid big money not to miss those things. If you sold that coin, you could have potentially lost money because they were inaccurate. Fair is fair but if they don't know what they are looking at, they shouldn't hold themselves up as authenticators of errors or die varieties.

I know a guy that sent in "THE" major 1994 DDR cent to a major grader and it came back as not being a doubled die. I told him to send it back and to have the graders look in the CP guide for photos. It came back the second time as properly attributed.

Suppose that collector got the coin back as not being the 1994 DDR and spent it?

He's lucky he had my email address Someone else may have lost out on the coin.

I wrote a small letter to the Numismatist awhile back where another "major attributor" (Not Potter or Wexler, Diamond, Wiles or any of the better known die variety and error experts) Did an article on a 1910 D cent with an "added D". Any rookie involved with cents could tell that the coin was a 1940 D with an altered 4. The guy said that after a microscopic view that he could see how the D was added. Bologna.

I provided pictures and an explanation as to how far apart the 9 was from the 1 in the date and that the digits were completely different as far as spacing on a 1910 cent. It was impossible for it to be a 1910 with an added D. It had to be a 1940 D with portions of the 4 removed. The Numismatist published my letter , with the pictures and said that I was completely accurate.

This was another failure with respect to the identification of a simple, altered coin by a big expert.

I should be making the kind of money they make to make the same mistakes that they make.

Thanks,
Bill

PS: It's not harsh at all.

 

I still think it was a little harsh.

 

Bill, I agree with Lehigh in that you do sound a little harsh as far as my coin is concerned, for the reasons I explained above. And regarding your 1994 DDR, it could have been that whoever submitted it didn't note that it was an error or variety on the submission form. If you don't specify, and in PCGS's case pay an extra premium and use a separate form, then they don't note the error or variety on the holder.

And aside for all this, they are human beings who do make mistakes. And in my case, NGC quickly and painlessly rectified the mistake.

 

It might be harsh unless you were ever effected by their mistakes, at that point, you might agree with me You might not, but it is frustrating at times to see slabs that are so far off done by people with six figure salaries. Then some of us, in the error and die variety field and in the interest of education, try to explain things and we have to dance around incorrectly labeled coins in slabs done by major companies.

 

Hi Penny Lady, They noted the die variety including the number in the CP guide.

I know I may seem a little frustrated, as mentioned but....well, nevermind

Also, I understand that they rectified their mistake but you were lucky that someone caught the mistake in the first place. Your situation worked out OK, and I'm glad for that.

Thanks,
Bill