Tag Archives: PCGS CoinFacts

GreatCollections on fake PCGS coins

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I have known Ian Russell for a quarter century when he worked for Teletrade, an early pioneer in the certified coin market. He served as president of Teletrade from 2005-2010. He then founded GreatCollections Coin Auctions, which I whole-heartedly recommend. Good buyer and seller rates. I have used the site for years.

If you don’t known Russell, you can read his biography by clicking here.

Russell is treasurer of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, which raises awareness about counterfeit coins and bullion and works with authorities to track down sources of fake lots and sales.

I asked Russell to comment on what Jack D. Young, Jack Riley and I have been documenting on eBay and other online venues, i.e., counterfeit coins in fake PCGS holders whose certification numbers open to a Chinese site.

One of the first to note that development was Young, writing for Proxiblog in “Trifecta, CN Counterfeit Coin, Slab and Website.”

Here is a summary:

  • The Elements: The scam consists of three parts: a cheap base-metal counterfeit coin, a slab designed to mimic an authentic PCGS holder, and a fake URL/QR code.
  • The Fake Website: Scanning the QR code on the slab directs victims to a mirror website that falsely “verifies” the fake certification number as legitimate.
  • Prevalence: Investigated by numismatists on Proxiblog Coin News and Views, these scams heavily flood online marketplaces like eBay.

Proxiblog recommended these actions if encountering the sale of fake coins:

  • Verify Directly: Never use the QR code or URL printed on a suspicious slab’s label. Manually search the certification number on the Official PCGS Verification Portal.
  • Compare Markers: Scrutinize the coin’s die markers and weight, as counterfeiters often use stolen images of genuine coins for their listings.
  • Report Fakes: You can read investigative articles by numismatists at the Proxiblog Counterfeit Archive to stay up-to-date on current fakes.

The sheer number of “Not PCGS” counterfeits has reached epidemic proportions. See this video for examples:

Proxiblog recently contacted PCGS President Stephanie Sabin, who provided this statement:

“Since founding PCGS in 1986, our mission has been to protect collectors through leading authentication, grading, and the most secure holders in the industry. However, a powerful brand inevitably attracts counterfeiters, and we treat combating these fraudulent holders as an aggressive, ongoing priority. True security requires staying multiple steps ahead, which is why we continually invest in advanced overt and covert security features across all our product lines. We applaud the dedicated individuals and organizations within our community who work tirelessly to educate collectors on the dangers of counterfeit holders; their vigilance to eliminate altered and fraudulent collectibles is essential to protecting consumers and preserving the integrity of the numismatic marketplace.”

You can read more about PCGS fake holders in “Protecting the Good Name of PCGS from eBay Counterfeits.”

After that article ran, Proxiblog began getting emails and messages about whether their actual PCGS-holdered coins were legitimate. That shows the damage being done to the main reason that holdering companies exist: authentication. Proxiblog viewers also wanted to know what the big auction houses are doing to ensure that coins holdered by PCGS, NGC and other companies contain genuine coins.

So we contacted Russell to find out.

“The rise in counterfeit coins housed in fake PCGS holders has become one of the most serious threats facing the numismatic marketplace today,” Russell says. “At GreatCollections, every coin is carefully reviewed before it is offered for sale, and our team is highly experienced at identifying counterfeit holders, altered labels, and fraudulent verification schemes. Protecting bidders and maintaining confidence in third-party grading are top priorities.”

When questionable material is identified, GreatCollections removes it from consideration regardless of its source. While most consignors are acting in good faith and are often unaware they possess a counterfeit item, Russell says, “we will not offer any coin whose authenticity cannot be fully verified. The integrity of the marketplace depends on strict authentication standards and consistent enforcement.”

Russell is concerned about the growing sophistication of counterfeit holders. This has understandably caused some collectors to question genuine certified coins. “That is why auction houses, grading services, dealers and collectors must remain vigilant and work together to identify and remove counterfeit material whenever it appears. Confidence in certified coins is built on trust, and that trust must be protected.”

Jack D. Young also was among the first to report counterfeit coins in fake PCGS holders with GreatCollection labels. The label on the left side below is fake. Compare it to the real label, right.

Russell says, “We’ve also encountered counterfeit PCGS holders that use fake GreatCollections labels. Ironically, the counterfeiters often print a GreatCollections inventory label inside the sealed PCGS holder, as though it were inserted during the grading process. It’s almost comical, but it also illustrates how far these operations are willing to go to create a false sense of authenticity.”

As counterfeiters continue to refine their methods, Russell recommends reading Proxiblog and other numismatic publications, paying attention to careful examination and buying from reputable sources.

For an inventory of Proxiblog counterfeit articles, click here.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

2006 DDO Lincoln Cent

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The 2006 Lincoln Cent DDO FS-101 is one of the few true doubled dies since 1996 when the US Mint upgraded their machinery with what is called a “Single-Squeeze” hubbing process. The intent was to eliminate doubled dies altogether, but still we can see the method is not entirely fool proof.

The variety has its own PCGS number, meaning if you use it in the submission process you do not have request a special error variety label costing more money.

The key markers are a ghost image of an earlobe:

There is doubling on the date, thicker than regular strike, with noticeable spreading on the “6.”

It’s difficult to see, but there is also some doubling on the lower portion of Lincoln’s beard.

“Liberty” is a main marker, too, exhibiting extra thickness. Note the notch on the “T”:

The error happened when the working die was placed slightly out of alignment. Thousands are out there in rolls and pocket change.

There also is an FS-102 variety, lacking a clear ghost image of the earlobe. Markers are similar.

As you can see, PCGS shows significant values, based on condition, from about $30 in low mint state red to hundreds in super gem.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Ultra Rare 1953-S FBL

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A condition rarity is not associated with mintage but with other factors. Sometimes people neglected to save uncirculated examples, as in the 1884-S Morgan Dollar. The 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle had a good mintage of 180,000; but almost all were melted. The 1953-S Franklin half dollar had a mintage of 4,148,000 but suffers from poor strikes due to worn working dies. As such, it is extremely rare to find one with full bell lines. There just wasn’t enough pressure to create the unbroken lines on the liberty bell.

But can strive to find an example with at least some of the lines on the reverse.

Let’s define FBL. The designation requires fully separated, uninterrupted lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. The lower sets of horizontal lines on the bell must be complete and distinct. To qualify, coins must grade MS-60 or higher, with no major disruptions to the lines, which also must be free from major cuts, heavy marks, or disturbances.

The horizontal lines must be clear and readable. Let’s take a close look this FBL example:

You can find many uncirculated Franklin halves with full bell lines. But the 1953-S is the key date. The dozens of 1953-S halves that earned FBL were struck early in the production run before the dies deteriorated.

While you may not find the ultra rare 1953-S FBL, you might have luck with other San Francisco business strike half dollars, as these also bring premiums.

The San Francisco Mint made half dollars in these years: 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954. Each one apart from the rare 1953-S brings a nice premium with FBL.

YEAR1949-S1951-S1952-S1953-S1954-S
MS65$130$70$125$125$50
MS65FBL$475$375$1,050$32,500$225

The San Francisco Mint stopped making half dollars in 1954 so that its machinery could be updated. But you can still assemble a set of 1949-54 halves for a reasonable price. The goal is to get the FBL on 1949-52 and 1954 and a 1953-S half with at least some of the full bell lines.

This PCGS slabbed MS65 1953-S Sold for $100 at Stack’s Bowers. I consider this a score because so many of the lines are evident, apart from the middle.

You can find some with some distinguishable lines on eBay, but they often are overpriced, as this example. I drew the red circle showing this is NOT Full Bell Lines.

You also want to watch what 1953-S half dollars sell for on major auction houses, including GreatCollections, which sold this gem in 2019.

Assembling a set of Franklin halves is easily doable. Try for as many full bell lines as your budget allows.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Counterfeit CC “Doubled Reverse” Morgan Dollars

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By Jack Riley

Prompting this article is a counterfeit 1878-CC that was previously listed to eBay and quickly removed. All 1878cc have B reverses, otherwise known as the “2nd reverse” with parallel arrow feathers (rather than slanted).

As a refresher, here are both kinds.

In addition, the 1878-CC has a different type of mintmark from other CC years, excluding some 1880cc varieties.

Compare mintmarks with the 1879-CC Morgan, which has slanted tail feathers.

Now inspect the 1878-CC coin below.

Looking through my log of documented counterfeit reverses for Morgan Dollars I realize I’ve seen this one a few times. The “Doubled wreath reverse.” If any of these were genuine they would be some of more dramatic doubled dies of the series, which evident by this 1878cc that isn’t the case.

Now to the real meat and potatoes of this article! An 1881-CC that was posted to a Facebook coin group for determination of value and authenticity. Being that 1881-CC has a low mintage of a mere 296,000 coins, there are very few die marriages. Only VAM-2 and VAM-6 has a CC tilted left, clearly this coin doesn’t attribute to either die marriage. (To learn about VAMs, click here.)

It does match the reverse of the previous 1878cc!

Below see a comparison image of both the 1878 and 1881-CC reverses. The “doubled wreath” stands out clearly. Along with a few repeating circulation marks, one being a minor indent on the wreath and another in the field below the right star.

After a lengthy conversation with the individual who owns the coin, they couldn’t come to terms that it was a very modern counterfeit. I’m sure our readers will see this coin is clearly unattributable to a genuine die marriage and matches a known counterfeit.

The best way to guard against buying a counterfeit coin is to purchase an authentic one from a reputable dealer. Barring that, view Jack Young’s Jack Riley’s and my articles on counterfeit coins published by Proxiblog.

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You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.

The Sole “P” Mintmark on Lincoln Cents

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The 2017 Lincoln cent carried the “P” mint mark to celebrate the U.S. Mint’s 225th anniversary. The Mint released the coins into circulation in January 2017 without any announcement, gaining publicity as collectors began noticing the change.

While unique, these cents are common. More than 4 billion of them were struck. Examples grading MS67+ retail for $80 but typically sell for about $30 in PCGS slabs. At MS68, graded by top companies, the price skyrockets to $500; but these are ultra rarities in such a high grade. Nevertheless, it is still fun to find the 2017-P cent in pocket change.

The “P” mint mark has never been used on a cent before or after 2017.

Hobbyists know that the Philadelphia Mint used no mintmark on coins because initially there were no branch mints. However, when other mints opened in Denver and San Francisco, for instance, they started using the “D” and “S” mintmarks on coins.

Beware of scammers claiming some 2017 cents are missing the “P” mintmark. That can only happen on grease strikes. Why? Because the “P” mintmark was etched on the master die for 2017 cents. You have to know how coins are made to realize why there is no missing “P” errors on 2017 cents.

In 2018, the Philadelphia Mint returned to the convention of no mintmark.

Other denominations have used the P mintmark. The nickel used the mintmark from 1942 to 1945 on 35% Silver “War Nickels” and then was removed. The “P” returned to nickels in 1980. Also in that year, dimes, quarters, half dollars started using the P mintmark. In 1979 the P mintmark appeared on the Susan B. Anthony dollar and henceforth was used on all Philly dollar coins, including the Sacagawea, Presidential, and American Innovation dollars.

Social media has hyped “missing mintmarks” as ultra rarities. Here’s a chart of them with odds of finding any.

If you would like to know more about these missing mintmarks, click here.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentaries, click here.

You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.

1988/88-D Cents: Flared “FG” Variety

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The “Flared FG” is a transitional variety found on some 1988 and 1988-D Lincoln cents. It occurred when U.S. Mint employees mistakenly used a redesigned die for 1989 cents.

The initials, “FG,” to the right of the Lincoln Memorial building, refer to designer Frank Gasparro.

This variety requires magnification to identify.

As you can see in this expanded photo above, the “flared” initial is the “G.” It has a noticeable serif. The regular lacks that. Now notice the thickness, or higher relief, of the flared “FG.” The revision was meant to make the initials clearer and distinct.

That’s how you tell.

Again, though, because the variety requires close inspection, have handy a regular 1988/88-D cent so you can compare.

These are easy to find because of the huge mintage: 6,092,810,000 for 1988; 5,253,740,443, 1988-D.

Then compare initials, as below.

The variety designation is FS-901 “Reverse of 1989.” Worn examples sell for a few dollars to $25; mint state, about $150. Several at MS68 have sold for hundreds of dollars.

If you intend to purchase or bid on an example from eBay or Facebook, make sure that the photos are clear enough and magnified so that you can identify the variety. Here’s a typical photo; you can try expanding it with your own photo app. But in general, avoid these.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

1998-2000 Wide AM Markers

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While new hobbyists typically search for the unicorns–1992/92-D Close AM cents–veteran collectors know that chances are infinitely better looking for the 1998, 1999 and 2000 Wide AM varieties.

If you are interested in the 1992/92-D Close AM cents, click here. This post is about the 1998, 1999, and 2000 Wide AM varieties, all from the Philadelphia Mint.

In 1994, the U.S. Mint developed rules for Lincoln Memorial Cents. Business strikes were supposed to use a “Close AM” reverse die. Proof coins would use the “Wide AM” reverse die.

Between 1998-200, two US Mints produced business strikes for cents, Philadelphia and Denver. At the Philly facility, coin operators mistakenly used a “Wide AM” reverse die on some of the production runs.

There are three markers to discern what you have.

Let’s dissect each of these.

Now let’s compare with the regular correct business strikes:

An easy way to determine wide v. close is to look at the position of the “M” in “America.” If that letter is centered between the “A” and the “E,” it is wide. If the “M” is close to the “A” than the “E,” it is close.

Other markers:

Values for these varieties depend on the coin’s condition and color (Brown, Red-Brown, or Red).

Here are mintage estimates and values for each year:

YEARESTIMATED VARIETY MINTAGERANGE OF VALUES
1998100,000$25 to $150, Lower Mint State
19992,000 $400 to $1,000+, Lower Mint State
2000200,000+$15 to $35, Lower Mint State

Do not purchase raw Wide AM 1998-2000 cents unless you know the markers. Almost every raw example on eBay has the wrong markers (Close AM) for the rare 1999 cent. Examples:

One more point. Lincoln proof cents from 1998 through 2000 are supposed to have a Wide AM.

Finally, there are true “unicorn” coins, theorized but never found, including the 1964 Morgan Dollar and the 1965 Kennedy Half on a 1964 90% Silver Planchet. You can add the 1998-D Wide AM, 1999-D Wide AM and 2000-D Wide AM to that list.

ALL of the several 1998-D, 1999-D and 2000-D Cents on eBay listed as “Wide AM” are just regular “Close AM” cents. Example:

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Rare 1965 Transitional Errors

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When the US Mint makes a transition from one type of planchet to another, as we have seen with the popular 1982-D Small Date brass cent, unused planchets are sure to be stuck somewhere in the coinage bins, which is precisely what happened with 1965 dimes and quarters.

To get your hands on one or both, you need to be rich … or lucky with rolls and pocket change. Nevertheless, you’ll have better odds with these than the 1982-D Small Date transitional error, of which only two have been found.

1965 Dime on 90% Silver Planchet

1965 dimes were supposed to be copper-nickel. The price of silver was responsible for common denominations to transition to clad. A small number of silver blanks got into feeder bins. Between 20-100 of the rarity may have escaped into circulation.

Value is between $3,000 and $13,000 and higher, depending on condition and certification grade by a top-tier holdering company.

To determine if you found the rarity, look at the edge. If you see a copper stripe, you have the clad dime. If you can’t see the stripe, weigh it. A clad dime weighs 2.27 grams; the silver dime, 2.5 grams.

1965 Quarter on 90% Silver Planchet

The same thing happened with quarters as with the dime above. Some leftover 1964 silver planchets got into 1965 clad hoppers. Fewer than 20 are believed to have left the Mint.

An authentic 1965 Washington quarter accidentally struck on a 90% silver planchet is valued between $4,000 and $17,000+, depending on its condition and professional grade and certification. Again, look at the edge. If you see a copper stripe, you have the common clad quarter. If not, weigh it. A clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams whereas a silver one weighs 6.25 grams.

The 1965 Half Dollar “Unicorn”

Hobbyists searching for the “Unicorn”–a coin so rare as to be mythic–continue to look for a 1965 Half Dollar struck on a 1964 90% silver planchet. Hey, if the same thing happened with the dime and quarter, why not the JFK Half?

Good luck with that. None have been found.

If you think you found the unicorn, it should weigh 12.5 grams whereas a 40% regular strike should weigh 11.5 grams.

It goes without saying, beware of replicas and alterations and false claims on eBay and Facebook.

If you like posts like this, subscribe so you can be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and other social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Identifying 1944-P/D/S Steel Cents

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1944 steel cents from all three US Mints are extremely rare transitional errors occurring when leftover 1943 zinc-coated steel planchets became stuck in annealing furnaces, tote bins or coining presses. Because of their rarity, however–a few dozen have been actually found and authenticated–there are thousands of counterfeits, altered dates and copies flooding online coin venues.

The most common of these ultra rarities came from the Philadelphia Mint, which was using steel planchets to produce foreign coins. Some of those planchets got into the Lincoln cent bin. Fewer than 10 1944-D steel cents have been authenticated. These steel planchets were left over when the Mint started making copper cents that year. Steel planchets were mixed in totes mistakenly and were struck as 1944-S cents.

Step-by-Step Method

  1. To test if you have one of these ultra rarities, use a magnet. If it sticks, you can continue to check if real.
  2. Weigh the coin. If it weighs more than 2.7 grams, typically 3.1 grams, you have a fake.
  3. If not, look at the second “4” in the date. If you spot anything suspicious, such as a scratch or tool mark–or weird spacing between numbers–you have an altered date.
  4. Look for plating bubbles–tiny bumps–in the fields especially. You also might find pitting in these.
  5. Check for strike. Zinc-plated counterfeits have mushy devices and dates. Authentic ones have sharper devices.
  6. A key diagnostic is the word “Liberty.” Again, if mushy, you probably have a fake. In authentic examples, the word not only is sharp but also close to the edge. Striking copper differs from striking steel. The later has more hardness, pushing the “L” close to the rim.

Comparison of “Liberty”

Examples of Fakes

Online sellers on Temu and Etsy have flooded the market with all manner of fakes and replicas.

REPLICAS

CASTING BUBBLES

ZINC PLATED

It goes without saying that you should never bid on or buy a raw 1944 P/D/S steel cent that isn’t certified by a major holding company such as PCGS, NGC, ANACS and CAC. Even then, look up the certification number and check to make sure you are looking at the same coin because China also packages fake coins in fake holders. The best way is to wait for one of these rarities featured on a major auction house such as GreatCollections, Heritage or Stacks Bowers.

f you like posts like this, please go to our counterfeit archive with reports from Jack Riley, Jack D. Young, John Lorenzo and Michael Bugeja. Also, please subscribe so you can be informed whenever there is a new article or column.

Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.

Woody vs. Roller Marks

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A woody–woodgrain marks on a coin–is caused by an improper alloy mix whereas similar marks are caused by dirty rollers at the Mint. Woodies are collectible. Roller marks are not.

A woody has irregular, streaky, wood-like toning, usually red brown often mixed with lighter brass-like colors. The lines are uneven, splotchy and on both sides of the coin. They often appear on older Wheat and Indian Head Cents.

Roller marks are easy to identify. They are straight and parallel. They usually appear on both sides of a coin, especially ones minted between 1978-1984.

Here is a handy chart:

Feature Woody (Improper Alloy)Roller Marks (Damage)
AppearanceIrregular, splotchy, wood grain textureStraight, uniform, parallel lines
ColorVaries (Red/Brown/Brass)Same as the rest of the coin
DepthSurface toning, usually flush with metalShallow, incuse lines (cut into the metal)
TextureUsually smoothScratched, feels textured
ConsistencyRandom streakingUniform, consistent width

Woodies are collectible but values depend on the condition and mintage/rarity of the coin. Most Wheat cents sell for $5-50; Indian cents, $10-75. Uncirculated ones can command high prices–basically, what one is willing to pay. Example:

If you are bidding on or buying a coin, make sure you can tell the difference. Roller mark coins are often mislabeled as woodies. Examples:

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and other social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.