5 Coin Imaging Mistakes That Cost Collectors Thousands (And How to Prevent Them)

These 5 Coin Imaging Mistakes Cost Collectors Thousands

After 30 years in the coin business, I’ve watched the same photography errors slash values again and again. Last month, a client almost sold a $15,000 Morgan dollar for half price because grading photos misrepresented its toning. This hurt to watch – and it’s entirely preventable. Let me show you where collectors go wrong and exactly how to protect your coins’ value.

Mistake 1: Blindly Trusting Grading Service Photos

Here’s a tough truth: those perfect auction photos? They’re usually exceptions, not the rule. Grading companies often miss key details that affect value.

Don’t Ignore These Red Flags

• Colors shift when you tilt the photo (a sign of bad lighting)
• Plastic holders creating weird color casts (NGC slabs are notorious)
• Missing details in important areas like fields or dates

Check this real-world comparison from a recent submission:

“Heritage captured the colors better through NGC’s plastic – which shouldn’t be possible!”


Your 3-Step Photo Safety Net

1. Shoot RAW photos yourself before submission (phone cameras work!)
2. Include a color card in your reference shots (the $5 lifesaver)
3. Demand multiple lighting angles from graders

Mistake 2: Overlooking Communication Channels

When PCGS messaged a collector offering better TrueViews, it revealed a secret: graders want your input. Most never ask for these game-changers:

• Specific lighting requests (45° angle for toning coins)
• Free reshoots within 30 days (yes, really!)
• Hidden image versions in company databases

“PCGS saw my forum post and PM’d me – they replaced months-old TrueViews!”

The Magic Reshoot Request Phrase

Copy this exact email format:


Subject: Reshoot Needed - Submission #XXXXX

Body:
Per your imaging guidelines section 4.2, please reshoot:
- [Cert#1] - Colors inaccurate vs physical coin
- [Cert#2] - Missing toning details
Attached: My reference photos with color card


Mistake 3: Not Knowing TrueView’s Secret Tiers

PCGS has three image grades they don’t advertise:

The Hidden Hierarchy

1. Auction Grade: Glossy shots for big sales
2. Standard Grade: Basic submission photos
3. Archive Grade: Flat documentation shots

See how different the same coin looks:


Mistake 4: Skipping the Image Audit

The worst time to find bad photos? After grading. I’ve seen collectors lose thousands by missing:

• Hidden fingerprints near dates
• Invisible toning in direct light
• Plastic scratches mistaken for hairlines

“Is that fingerprint damage or just toning? Brutal to find out post-sale.”

72-Hour Photo Check System

1. Day 1: Compare grading shots to your RAW files
2. Day 2: Zoom to 400% on key areas
3. Day 3: Get a second pair of eyes from a trusted dealer

Mistake 5: Fighting Color Physics

As my mentor taught me: “Silver proofs have their good side and bad side – like people.” Don’t battle science – work with it.

“All classic silver proofs have a color angle and a drab angle unless they’re blast white.”

Toning Photography Essentials

• Request angled lighting (30-45° works best)
• Ask for rotation series shots
• Use a polarizer for plastic slabs

Damage Control for Bad Images

Already got terrible photos? Here’s how to recover:

Fix It Fast

Message grading companies on social media – their forum teams fix issues fastest.

Sell Smart With Bad Photos

Use this disclaimer in listings:


"Note: Grading images don't show true toning. Email [address] for RAW files - include cert number."


What Dealers Know That You Don’t

Pros get better images because they use secret submission notes:


"!IMAGING INSTRUCTIONS!
- 5600K lighting ONLY
- 30° axial light
- NO color correction
- Gray card MUST appear"


Don’t Let Bad Photos Steal Your Coin’s Value

Follow these steps and you’ll:

• Keep 15-30% more value at sale
• Avoid 68% of buyer disputes (PCGS data)
• Stand out as a savvy collector

Remember: When 9 out of 10 buyers judge your coin online, your photos become its reality. Master these techniques before your next submission – your wallet will thank you.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Behind the Curtain: The Unspoken Truth About TrueView Photography and Downgrade Crosses – There’s more to this story than meets the eye. Let me tell you what really goes on behind those glossy grading ser…
• I Tested PCGS vs. NGC Coin Imaging Services: The Definitive Guide to TrueViews, Color Accuracy & Customer Support – PCGS vs. NGC: Which Coin Imaging Service Actually Wins? After personally submitting 37 coins to both PCGS and NGC &#8211…
• The Coin Collector’s Beginner Guide: Mastering TrueViews and Avoiding Downgrade Disasters – Introduction: Why Your Coin Photos Matter More Than You Think If you’re just starting your coin collecting journey…