From MS61 to body bag in 60 seconds.....

I have been fascinated by the Gold Indian Head Half Eagles since I first saw its unique incuse design. I started collecting them in 2007 but gave up shortly after as they are too difficult to find in Australia where I live and most of the coins for sale in eBay I found were counterfeit.

A few months back, my interest for this gold coin was rekindled and I managed to purchase a few raw coins and PCGS/NGC graded ones. I decided to upgrade my NGC membership and use the free coupon for 5 coins to have my raw coins graded. Alas, I only have 4 raw coins and I don't really want to waste one free grading.

I realised that the holder of my 1909-D Gold Indian Head Half Eagle (NGC MS61) has lots of scratches. I did the unthinkable and cracked the NGC holder and carefully but quickly put the coin in a flip to complete my 5 coin submission! I have full faith in NGC graders that they will know a MS-61 coin when they see one. Who knows, by a stroke of luck, it may even go a grade higher. (FINGERS CROSSED)

After 3 weeks of anticipation, I am now looking at the results of my submission. Lo and behold, my 1909-D is now coming back to me in a fresh new ...... BODY BAG?

My 1909-D NGC graded MS61 is now ...... IMPROPERLY CLEANED!!!!

OK. OK. .... Before anyone knocks me in the head for cracking the holder and re-submmitting the coin to the same company that graded it MS61 (nobody cracks coins out of holders right?), I just like to point out something here.

When coins are submitted to NGC for grading, they are examined by a minimum of 3 professional grading experts (according to NGC website). If my 1909-D was previously graded MS61 by a minumim 3 expert graders, and now it was deemed Improperly Cleaned by a minimum 3 expert graders, who made the wrong judgement? Was it the first group of graders or the group that graded the coin this time around?

But if the graders were right when they graded it MS61 and now when they say it's Improperly Cleaned, I very much like to know..... WHO CLEANED MY COIN?