How I Fixed Inconsistent Coin Imaging Issues With PCGS TrueView (Step-By-Step Workflow)

The Frustrating Reality of Inconsistent Coin Imaging

We’ve all been there – you carefully photograph a stunning proof silver dollar only to receive TrueView images that make it look completely different. After wasting hours and multiple submissions battling this exact problem, I finally cracked the code. Let me walk you through the exact workflow that saved my coins from bad photography.

My Breaking Point: When TrueView Got It Wrong

The wake-up call came with my 1879 Morgan dollar. PCGS produced two wildly different images:

The Good, The Bad, and The Photographic Disaster

First, the hero shot that actually matched reality:

“Check how Stacks captured the colors in their holder shot – that’s what mine should look like!”

Then came the TrueView nightmare that erased $200 in premium toning:

“Even Heritage managed better colors through NGC plastic – and that’s saying something”

My 4-Step Diagnostic Checklist

1. Spotting Imaging Red Flags

After three botched submissions, I made this quick-glance guide:

• Colors looking too warm or cool vs reality
• Angles hiding my coin’s best features
• Plastic glare obscuring surfaces
• Lighting that changes between submissions

2. Decoding PCGS’s Camera Setup

Through testing (and chatting with graders), I learned their secret:

Standard: 5500K lights at 45° angles
Toning Mode: 5000K with soft side lights

The Fix: My Battle-Tested 6-Step Method

Step 1: Bulletproof Pre-Grading Photos

My current setup never fails:

• Canon EOS R6 + 100mm macro lens
• f/8 aperture at 1/125 shutter speed
• Two Neewer panels at 30° angles

Step 2: The Submission Note That Works

Generic requests get ignored. Here’s what I write verbatim:

“Please use 5000K lighting at 30° to capture toning patterns. Attached RAW files show target color accuracy.”

Step 3: When All Else Fails – Go Social

The magic trick PCGS doesn’t advertise:

• Share comparison shots in collector groups
• Tag @PCGS_Social with specific image issues
• Request replacements via DM (3 for 3 success rate)

Like when another collector told me: “PCGS saw my forum post and DM’d me – not only fixed the new submission but updated old TrueViews too!”

Pro-Level Imaging Tactics

Cracking the Color Angle Code

A grading vet schooled me: “Silver proofs always have a ‘good side’ unless they’re blast white.” Now I specify:

"Rotate 15° clockwise from top to maximize toning"

Lighting Temperature Made Simple

• 5000K: Makes red/blue pops sing
• 5500K: Your safe middle ground
• 6000K: Only for no-toning coins

What Changed Everything For Me

Since adopting this system, 9 of 10 TrueViews now match my coins perfectly:

1. Submit RAW files with color cards (non-negotiable)
2. Technical language in notes = less guessing
3. PCGS Social responds faster than submission desk
4. Specific angles prevent “bad side” shots
5. Knowing techs by name builds consistency

My Foolproof Imaging Workflow

Here’s exactly what works today:

1. Shoot RAW + color reference card
2. Print lighting specs on submission form
3. Track submission like a hawk
4. Review images ASAP after posting
5. DM @PCGS_Social immediately if off

True Victory Over Bad Images

After 14 frustrating submissions, this approach finally gave me TrueViews worth displaying. The golden rules? Be specific in your requests, understand PCGS’s camera setups, and work directly with their social team. Follow these steps and you’ll stop dreading TrueView – and start bragging about it.

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