Hi all, I sent off many coins to PCGS to be slabbed and was surprised to get many of them back as PCGS Genuine Questionable Color. These coins have been stored in a bank vault for over 60 years and were part of a fine type set. They were all in cardboard 2x2's and everyone I've showed them to has commented on their beautiful toning. Most graded UNC by PCGS but for resale having them holdered as Questionable Color really bothers me. PCGS is supposed to be the experts. Are they artificially toned or not? I'm upset I paid them to confuse me even more. I've posted pics of a couple of them. What are your opinions--artificial or real toning. Do I have any recourse with PCGS to get a definitive answer or my money back. I'm very new to collecting, but am trying my best to learn. Thanks!! Marcy
I have a fair amount of coins that I have had for over 50 years, also. I am sure some have not been stored in the most proper conditions. Therefore I am reluctant to get them graded as they would come back as just Genuine.
If it's true the coins were stored for 60 years and toned over that time period, just goes to show what a scam 3rd party grading is in many cases. I personally don't buy slabs unless it's a heavily counterfeited coin - I like buying unslabbed coins I feel have eye appeal and yours certainly do. Collectors need to learn what they like and what they are willing to pay for it and stop giving these "experts" their business when not necessary.
As most active collectors, I have been the recipient of such grades, even though I have possessed them from "white", so my comments are not accusatory. At first glance, I can personally see why they were graded as "questionable", as I would have doubts also. Questionable just means they couldn't say or felt they were NT. Some collectors feel that if they resubmit several times, eventually they might get a grade, but this is not always true. There is no physical test that can determine that a certain toning is NT rather than AT, so it is always subjective. You paid for their opinion, and that was it. Artifical coloration/decolorization of coins occurred before the 1900s and for a long time was accepted by the majority of collectors, and then the tide towards original surfaces caught up, and then original surfaces with toning became the sought after condition for maximum profit.
First, the TPG's don't have any knowledge of the storage conditions of the coins they grade. They have to make their determination solely based on what they see. When it comes to toning, they decide if the toning pattern and color scheme are consistent with typical patterns for the series in question. I don't collect half cents but those color schemes don't look typical to me. At first glance, I thought the blue toned coin was silver. I think PCGS was justified to deem the color questionable and not market acceptable. Furthermore, how do you know that these coins have been in a vault for 60 years? And even if that story is true, you would need to know what they looked like before they went into the vault in order to say that they are not questionably toned. You have to remember that their determination of questionable toning simply means that the color of the coins is not market acceptable in their opinion. In their eyes, artificial toning & color resulting from improper storage are the same, questionable.
I like the coins but if I were the grader I'd have to say AT also. As for recourse with PCGS, I'd think not as you paid them to grade them to their standards and that is what you got. We have all had grades that we don't agree with. They are still great coins.
Thanks for all the help. While I do know they were in a vault for 60 years (received them from our 106 y.o. Grandmother who passed in 2010) I dont know what they looked like when they were put in. I do know they were avid collectors and cery knowledgable about their collection.For resale, should i bust them out of the holders?
Unless you want to sell them, i dont see the the problem. Atleast they are verified to be authentic, in a sonically sealed slab. For resale, i would just leave it in the slab, because atleast it verifies it's authentic.
You probably should have asked members for an opinion first or read through the forum before sending those coins. Not saying its your fault, but recently PCGS has been going crazy with the AT and questionable toning thing. With that been said though, without knowing that those coins came out of a vault, like that most people would assume its AT. Personally I don't see it as a problem if you're keeping it for yourself. Think of it as a holder for your coin.
