https://twitter.com/coinsblog/status/422130439914938368 https://twitter.com/coinsblog/status/422130701991821313
http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/index.aspx?CertNumber=3356524-158 First one is a valid NGC registration number - so a fake coin in a genuine slab that slipped through, or a counterfeit of a genuine slab? From experience the Rn, Sn, Pd and Rh in the XRF analysis are interference from the plastic - see that elements all the time when analysing coins in slabs or capsules. The coin would most likely be gold plated copper. Not sure why 9% silver in there unless a silver plated blank was used, or an Ag/Cu alloy.
Fake coin & slab. Slabs are an obvious counterfeit target, IMO. I'm surprised this is not a huge problem already. Not great for coin collectors. Fakes suck.
Good news, at PCGS is doing something about!! http://www.pcgs.com/News/pcgs-and-dupont-authentication-combat-counterfeiting
From the link: 'Since its founding in 1986, PCGS experts have authenticated and graded over 27 million coins with an estimated market value of $27 billion.' The 3d holograms are an interesting move. If they can't be copiedcould they be carefully removed and placed on higher value fake slips?. Counterfeiting sucks but it's probably been going on for thousands of years in various forms I'm cynical. I hope this method is going to work
Pretty sure that ensuring the holograms couldn't be removed intact (or the holders opened surreptitiously) would have been a design requirement.
