PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) containers were developed as a means to certify the authenticity of a valuable coin. After the coin is graded by experts, it is embedded in a holder that cannot be nondestructively opened. Now reports are emerging of
fake holders containing counterfeit coins. This report from the
StarTribune:
Armen Vartian, an attorney for Collectors Universe, said counterfeit coins and holders from China are becoming more common. Five years ago, he said, they would be easily detected by numismatists, but no more.
Webber agreed. In a test, he passed the silver dollars that he bought from Burnsville Coin around to 20 members of his coin club. Just five concluded correctly that they were fakes, he said.
Collectors Universe suspects that Skog has coins made to order in China, complete with specific dates and mint marks, Vartian said.
I always laugh when I see a "letter of authenticity" accompanying a sports autograph. The letter is easier to forge than the autograph, since there are no experts in authenticating LOAs. Same goes for these plastic cases -- their presence means less scrutiny for the coin, since you assume it is real.
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