I purchased an Ike proof dollar off an eBay seller. It was a bicentennial in 70 condition, ostensibly, but here I find, when I open the package, that the capsule EASILY opens up, the coin is loose in the white foam plastic square (bangs against the capsule, in fact), and should I send it back? It just seems very like the thing was popped and another coin stuck in the holder. Any thoughts? I'm new to this stuff.
I would attempt to return it and try to get a refund on postage if possible. Was it a certified slab from a tpg ( PCGS, NGC, ANACS .ect) or a homemade slab?
"International Numismatic Bureau"---to be honest, I was just into the idea of getting a 70 rated coin and didn't pay attention to the rater! dumb, true dat.
sounds like a self-slabber at work.. just buys some empty slabs puts a decent coin in and calls it a 70. send it back as it's not really a 70 and you'll never be completely satisfied with it. Stick with the PCGS, NGC, ANACS coins if you're paying a premium for the certified coins. Treat all others as raw coins when buying and ignore what it says on the holder (even ignore the date and mintmark on those slabs because people lie about those too).
Go read the sellers feedback. Bad news and I would stay away from. They are a self slabber and overgrader in my opinion. If you bid on something from them and don't win, you will get a 2nd chance offer within a day for the same thing, only problem is they have no idea what a ms coin is, again only my opinion, but go look at their graded auctions. They are actually pretty funny as long as you are not buying them.
From the web: "INB (International Bureau Of Numismatics) is another service that appears to be owned an operated by an ebay seller named Numismatic Bureau. I have received many email complaints about this service. Namely, over-grading and the wrong date on the label when compared to the coin in the holder. INB slabs mostly modern coins, and giving most a perfect PR70 or MS70 grade. A perfect 70 grade is a rare occurrence even in modern coinage, and this grade can only be obtained by a coin that has no imperfections. It’s apparent, to any knowledgeable collector, that INB can’t possible come across this many perfect coins. PCGS grades many more coins than INB and they don’t grade a third as many perfect coins. INB also grades proof and mint sets as well as modern rolls of coins. I suggest buying these coins at your own risk, and only if you can see clearly that the coin is perfect, and will make the grade if submitted to the top tier grading companies."
Also on eBay's site: First Party Graders or Self Slabbers. The following are NOT Third Party Grading Services. eBay is also home to many First Party Graders also known as self-slabbers. While some of these slabbers may accept submissions, they also grade their own coins for resale, thus their grading is not impartial. Some that are currently available on eBay are : INB - International Numismatics Bureau [others listed, too many to show.]
did you pay a PF-70 price? And how bad was the coin when you received it? If you want some lousy 1976 proof Ikes, I have a few. I grade them at a 70+++++! (that is out of my own 100 scale). I have 2 that suffer from rust spots. Anyway, good luck. It sounds like a headache no matter what happens, and I am sure that the policy is that you pay the return shipping.
It's a Type 1 1976 Ike; with postage I paid $12. It has a bit of a scuff on the reverse. The ostensible serial number on the one I received is not the serial number of the coin on which I bid.
First off, the deal was for a PF-70, so it's obviously not. Off the top of my head, I think $10 is a PF 67 2009 Red Book price - for whatever that is worth. I just check out price list at www.IkeGroup.org - they put a Proof 65 at $5.00 and a Proof 69 at $60.00! Ikes are so difficult. Quality is completely lacking in my opinion. A PF-70 would be worth a lot more than $12. I assume that you did not give feedback yet, I would e-mail the guy and tell him what happened and say, in a nice way, that you are not satisfied. And play it from there. Maybe the guy will do the right thing, and not only take it back but pay for shipping. Try going with the honey first, before you decide to serve the vinegar. Remember there are time periods where you can make an appeal to EBay.
I think it's up to you. The coin is clearly overgraded but you should have expected that with a self slabber like this. On the other hand, you only paid $12 for it. So, if you think the coin is worth the $12 then keep it...take it out of the slab if it bothers you. But, if you really don't like the coin then by all means send it back.
I say send it back... The slab was open, and not the slap pictured... the seller needs to pay the return postage.
Send it back and buy another one a grade or two lower. It will cost less money and you probably wont be able to tell the difference in quality by looking at it.
I would tell you to call and see if they will "make it right" like all of their posts in their feedback. I would also say that they will not pay for shipping back and forth as that is part of their profit set up. If I read their feedback and posture correctly I would not send it back, get what you can to make you feel positive about the transaction and move on. If you send it back you are just adding more expense to bad transaction. I would call and try to get some type of settlement and move on.
