Slabed NGC War Nickel Verification/Help/Thoughts

[silverdollarjon]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some help identifying the authenticity of an NGC slabed war nickel that I purchased recently. I bought a few items from a seller that I feel confident is legit and everything seems to check out as far as I can tell other than this one particular nickel that just seems way off for some reason. The NGC barcode comes up properly with correct specs and even has pictures, but the color on the coin is way off compared to the one in my holder. I seem to have found a couple small identifying marks that would lead me to believe the coin is legit but I'm not 100% sure and cannot understand the color change. You'll know what I mean when you look at the photos I have attached compared to the NGC cert photos.

Does anyone know if this coin looks legit and is so why the color would have changed, in my eyes, for the better? I am fairly new to this hobby still and any information or thoughts the community has on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Earle42]

Welcome to the forum. We are glad you are here

Maybe photography lighting/technique?

Just a note: Unlike a lot of people think, slabs are not airtight. In fact they are not the safest way to store coins b/c coins can tone inside slabs. Storing them properly is important.

[Westin]

It's the same coin. Are you not happy with it?

[Daniel]

It's the same coin, just a lighting issue.

[silverdollarjon]

Thanks for the thoughts. I am happy with the coin, just was concerned from the color change. I understand coins can tone over time even in holders, but this one made no sense to me. How could the coin go from having that yellowish tone color from the NGC pictures and then go back to being bright white afterwards? I've seen coins tone, but how does one just go back to perfect without being cleaned? And not marked as cleaned?

I'm inclined to agree with the first response, that maybe it's some sort of lighting error or glare from the NGC photos. No sure. Thanks for the input.

[silverdollarjon]

Thanks Daniel, I agree. Just wouldn't expect a top grading company to make that kind of error. Even tho I know it happens. Was just a super wild one to me, caught me off guard and had me worried for a moment. I appreciate all the help. Thanks guys.

[Westin]

I see you're using your phone flash. NGC probably is using an incandescent as they tend to show coin surfaces better. Only problem is it's warmer/more yellow light.

Every different coin's surface reflects differently, so if you wanted optimal lighting angles for every coin, you'd need to adjust the light and camera settings for each coin. That's just a lot of work when you're trying to photograph thousands of coins a day. I think these are the basic photos and then you can pay for high-res images that will be out of the holder like PCGS & CAC also do.

[Earle42]

Thanks Daniel, I agree. Just wouldn't expect a top grading company to make that kind of error. Even tho I know it happens. Was just a super wild one to me, caught me off guard and had me worried for a moment. I appreciate all the help. Thanks guys.

I believe, like many coming here, the internet has you thinking the grading companies are something they are not. A lot of people lose a lot of money b/c of that. See the PM I sent you concerning what you need to know about the companies so you don't lose money.
On the upper right of page is a link for private messages.


The longer you get exposure to (or research) the companies, the more you will see something like incorrect picture lighting is trivial to the actual lack or expertise they show. Undeniable proof can be seen in the following which is linked to data using PCGS own website. it shows an over 30% error in assigning the rookie level No FG label on Kennedy Half dollars. It also shows how this has cost collectors who believe in the stated expertise of the companies to be taken for a lot of money. The essay also shows a simple fact the companies should know about how to tell a genuine 1982 No FG and yet they seem not to know this...yet they are supposedly the last word in coins.

https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

[silverdollarjon]

Thanks Earle, really appreciate the info. I know they are not the "end all, be all" like they try to make everyone think. Really sad that one can't confidently put more faith in these companies to simply do their job correctly.

[Westin]

Thanks Earle, really appreciate the info. I know they are not the "end all, be all" like they try to make everyone think. Really sad that one can't confidently put more faith in these companies to simply do their job correctly.

That's why it's best to do your own research. Learn about grading as much as you can. PCGS has a really good series of videos on YouTube about grading. (I wish they always took their own advice) You should also read as much as you can, or maybe even go to a coin grading workshop. They sometimes have those at big shows or at local colleges. Also, buy a few cheaper graded coins in various grades to have reference examples. After lots of practice you can get a sense of if the coin looks right for the label it has.

Remember, you're the one paying for it, so ultimately your opinion is the only one that really matters in the end.

[Earle42]

Westin said,

Remember, you're the one paying for it, so ultimately your opinion is the only one that really matters in the end.