Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ed Zak, post: 42507, member: 824&quot;]I would go to their web sites as the top four would be more than happy to explain how they authenticate coins.&nbsp; Matter of fact, they do that first before they grade.&nbsp; No need to grade a bogus coin if you think about it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Many of their authenticators clinic on the subject.&nbsp; For instance, one grader told me years ago that half of the 1916-D Merc dimes that were on the trade show floor were fakes (as he was shaking his head).&nbsp; Your top coins will attract the scum of our hobby, so these top four services are very good at catching fakes.</p><p><br /></p><p>Is it possible for them to miss one?&nbsp; Sure...but in today&#039;s climate, they are VERY good at authentication and it is extremely rare when they get stumped..&nbsp; Actually, most here would agree.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Now the issue of grading is a whole another matter and will be debated till kingdom come.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Authentication is so important nowadays that I would be very hestitant to buy, for instance, a 1909S-VDB 1c unless it had been authenticated.&nbsp; I have seen some very good fakes of this coin along with 1916-D Mercs that have come back from these services with the treaded, &quot;Added Mintmark&quot; notation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nobody likes to be had, and they do a good service here when authenticity comes into the discussion.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in