I was given this Buffalo graded MS64 by PCI. I see several black spots on both side which look like some type of corrosion. Look under the chin. How can that exist and still have a MS64 grade.? Other than that the coin looks great. Also what is the Garrison Collection? Sorry about the photo quality. Hoping Santa will bring me some special photo equiptment.
PCI is notorious for overgrading; sorry. They don't always note cleaning, and I've almost always found them to be 1-2 or more points off on grading uncirculated pieces.
It's my understanding that the older, PCI green holders were more trustworthy than the later gold ones. There might have been some slab storage issues, too, or a coin that was dipped and not well rinsed. Anyway, far be it for me to look a gift buffalo in the mouth.
I have read that PCI is not the most reliable grading co., but I am no expert. The coin does not look cleaned. No hairlines or cloudiness, but the black spots are disturbing. Is there any way to remove them or should I just leave it alone? Any ideas on value as it is. I mentioned to a friend that I wanted a type 1 Buff any he picked this up at a coin shop in the clearance section.
They spots are likely part of the surface of the coin and will not come off. I wouldn't mess with it. You might want to consider selling it, and then using the proceeds to purchase a coin that is more to your liking.
What is it? Your pictures are too small to see what if anything is going on under the chin. Note: For about a year or so red border labels disappeared from PCI and a lot of cleaned and/or problem coins were slabbed in the gold labels a well with no mention of the problems. YOU CAN NOT ASSUME THAT A GOLD LABEL PCI SLAB IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PROBLEM FREE COIN!
spots when it was slabbed? Is this an example of "buy the coin not the slab"? I've personally had PCI MS63 cross over to NGC MS65 and vice versa. I can't see the spots in the photos but I'll give PCI the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the spots were not on the coin when it was slabbed... This coin might be a good candidate to trade away & get one that you will be more happy with. Very best regards, collect89
PCI graded coins require a more careful examination. They were a bit erratic. Can't tell in this case. Better images required.
Wish I could get better photo. I have to rely on natural sunlight and it is dark and dreary here in Texas.
