I’ve learned over the years, especially in this high tech environment, if there’s a way to cheat, rip off, make money by cheating, there are many, too dam many, that will try AND worse yet, succeed in counterfeiting just about anything including coins! They can even make things look old, antiqued, and toned, etc. in order to trick unsuspecting folks. I could NEVER rip someone off!! I’ve been told by friends and family that I’m way too honest. I differ with them, I don’t think you can be too Honest, JMHO. Just because you or myself wouldn’t do it, there’s a line a mile long that would. Another “thing” I’ve noticed is that there are unscrupulous coin dealers out there as well. As in anything, there unfortunately are “bad apples” in every barrel/basket. All you can do is do “Your Due Diligence” BEFORE you purchase items, coins, vehicles, etc. Whenever I purchase a used vehicle, especially if it’s an expensive car/truck, I always take it to a shop and get it inspected and looked over AND I’m not talking about a $50-$75 inspection either, spend a few hundred and get a comprehensive check up/inspection on it. I almost purchased a 4×4 truck, looked great until you looked underneath. It turned out that the 4 wheel drive was kaput and it came from Canada where they used a lot of salt in the Winter so the rust was awful. I saved thousands by spending $250 for the inspection. Who wants to do that, not me but I do it just in case.

Well, as always, Good Luck ALL!!!

P S. When I purchased three (3), 2019 S Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagles, still sealed/unopened, off the secondary market (Ebay) it was sooooo hard NOT to open at least one of them but to my credit, I hung in there and 5 years later, I had them graded. Once I got them graded, returned back to me, it was the very first time I had held and seen one live and in the wild, lol!! I’m just happy the coins were in the box(s), lol!

Yep PCGS does preserve them with the double slab, not so much at NGC with a sticker only. Deals can be had for the NGC GSA’s all scratched up. The Morgan might even upgrade to +, or a full grade point if you are willing to crack, er out and let them see the coin without the 50 year old lens distorting the slabbers view!?

You and AKBob could have a conversation about that!
He got gyped by a seller also, raised the price a lot as it was climbing in value. But he got a low #COA Ryder signature on another sealed box, and almost got ripped off of the COA from PCGS!?…Bob?

If I owed a coin, or pawn shop? PM tester in hand as well !!

Yeah the book is 20 yrs old now but today it’s still relevant, I guess the new counterfeits wouldn’t be in there. The book was used, the coupon is long gone! It’s all about the $$ now with the TPG’s, well, why wouldn’t it be? But their quality is hit or miss with me, a newer customer. Two problems in the last few weeks. 1) A mis-labeling that was intentional. 2) A reholder/fresh holder that left debris, and a fingerprint on the perfect coin, it wasn’t there before. Both are going back. They(graders)are under stress to grade too quickly & quantity wise, and they slip up sometimes I’d say. And it’s no wonder given the ridiculous amount of coins coming from the Mint and worldwide. Hard to see on the screen..Dot = slab debris.. Arrows = fingerprints. Why cant they use surgeon gloves & tongs on rim to grade/handle and put into the damn holder? This coin below E1 “gave” it to me(by not buying it last Jan)….

Many thanks for the info.

Rick in the day the. You bought a PCGS grading book, counterfeit guide,@ free slabbing coupon. PCGS has gone private w a very rich backer$ including Mets owner. Around some mid 80s as NGC close behind. Interesting thing is @ LCS they using PM detector on slabs!

So THAT was the writing on my GG COA? Just kidding.

Sorry. I had the wrong Mint Director. It’s actually a Ryder story.

Long, long story short: I tried to buy the 2019 Enhanced Reverse Eagle from the Mint and lost out to bots and flippers. I turned to eBay. The prices were absolutely crazy in short order. I located one with prices still surging. The box was supposedly sealed. For the first time I can remember, the Mint Director had signed several specially numbered COAs. I told the eBay seller NOT to open the box & send it to me. I hoped I might score the special COA. The guy opened the box to “check the contents” and said the coin was “damaged”. No detail. No photos. Just damaged. I had a hunch he saw the prices still going up and became aware of the hefty premium for signed COAs. The purchase and the remote chance of a special COA vanished with the deal. I later bought the coin, sans signature, for even more money. Such was life in 2019 with bots, eBay scamsters, and signed/numbered COAs.

Believe it or not, Rick, that was the SHORT version.

Keep GSA holders from extinction

Richard Crenna also great in the Rambo flix. I went to school w his son, his dad was a really nice guy…..even to US high Schoolers…