EDIT: Have received plenty of advice on this topic. Learnt something and I'm fine with the purchase now. Thanks to all who commented I just received a PM gold bar in the mail from a dealer. The tamper-proof lining is peeling pretty badly around the edges and the packaging is very roughed up compared with advertised image. I'm in no way questioning the authenticity of the item, but just wondering if others have received them like this and did it affect resale? I'm not very happy receiving it in this condition given that it's from a dealer. Then again, if it's a very common issue it may not be worth worrying about. Thoughts?
I've got a few certicards that look similar. It's just been doing the rounds for a while. I'd happily take it off your hands at a considerable discount if you're that concerned about it
That is pretty standard condition for a new one. The plastic is meant to be removed but I reckon is best left on. You can open a brand new box of 25oz and one in that condition will be the best one in the box straight from the mint. Just the way they come. Affects all sizes.
It's like the plastic you get I your cell phone screen, it's there to prevent scratching on the production line. Rip it off
Delamination occurred commonly with the PAMP certicards I've bought, fwiw. Looking at the photo in the OP, it is interesting to see the delamination occurring centrally as well as peripherally. You have to wonder about exposure to heat (gas expansion) and then cold. Sale is entirely dependent on the gold itself. The plastic and cardboard is trivial. My 2c.
Well if you bought it at close to spot, the condition seems pretty alright. But if you paid a premium, then I would expect the condition to be pristine or as new.
I've bought a little collection of limited edition 1oz pamp certicards from Perth bullion(bullion bourse), goldstackers and apmex via Maggie and that protective film is in pretty much stock standard condition as far as I'm concerned, if you take it off I'm sure the certicard would be pristine but I would probably leave it as is, maybe even chuck it in a ziplock bag
It is possible that they sold you a used bar. Dealers keep re-selling bought-back bars. I've seen some Perth Mint bars with damaged protective layer as well. What's most important is not to have what's behind the layer damaged. You can peel off the layer and see whether anything behind it is damaged or not. Just make sure you store it well-protected after peeling it off.
Can we get this in one of the stickies please. This question seems to come up from time to time. As has been said, that is an ADDITIONAL screen just for shipping/storage or whatever. The 'perfect' bars you have got have simply had that screen removed already. I, for one, would rather receive the bar with the extra layer, irrelevant of the covers condition.