Expert: Joe Hylas - 2/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I recently purchased a 2005 pcgs ms69 gold eagle on ebay.
The pcgs label says 20th anniversary. I thought that only 2006 was the anniversary. The pcgs number, 73266813, checks out on the pcgs cert verification but it does not say 20th ann. Are there other 2005 that say 20th ann. or could this be a fake of some kind?

ANSWER: Hi Richard,
Since the American Gold Eagles started in 1986, 2005 would be the 20th. Anniversary.  Not all of them were labeled by PCGS as 20th anniverary coins.  The ones that were came out of 20th anniv sets that the mint produced.

Certainly, fakes are possible, even with a correct cert number.  There have been a number of fake coins and holder coming onto the market, through eBay as well as other sources, that were produced in China.

The only way to protect yourself is to buy from reputable dealers.

Regards
Joe Hylas
www.AllCoins.US

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Joe,
Thanks for the quick response. So what you are saying is that PCGS put 20th anniversay on both 2005 and 2006 eagles?

Answer
Well,
Your holder says "20th Anniversary" which technically is correct since 2005 would be the 20th issue of the 1 oz gold eagle.  However, the PCGS priceguide makes no menthion of it.  It lists the 20th anniversary as 2006.

The CoinDealer Newsletter shows that the 20th. Anniv Set was dated 2006

Since the holder says 20th anniv., my only guess is that when the coin was holdered, the wrong insert was used.  My suggestion is to call PCGS customer service and ask for clarification.  It was probably just human error.  I seem to remember a situation like this in the past, so maybe a group of these exists.

good Luck
Joe Hylas
www.AllCoins.US