Example of a weak attribution:

[eagames]

Here's an example on ebay, somebody paid for attribution on this coin. (the E in the number means they paid the extra fee)They called it a "weak" doubled die. Paying for attribution means "determine the variety or determine it's not a variety". The term weak is meaningless as they used it. It could mean weak strike, spread, or for that matter it might even mean strike doubled or master doubling so it's meaningless. I think the word they meant was "minor" but they goofed that up. Other TPGs would either know and list the variety or send it to an expert to attribute. Instead they created a problem, buyers won't know if it's nothing, the old master die-5 or the new die-5 or the rare die-4 or whatever.

I think PCGS is great for rare coins or well known varieties but not when it comes to other less well known varieties.

They lump variety attribution in their "error" service level and they didn't get the term "doubled die" right they called it a "double die" which means the same thing but still it's not correct.

What do others think about it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-P-Lincoln-PCGS-MS-65-RED-Weak-Double-Die-ERROR_W0QQitemZ290270680506QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31373QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(just adding: I don't think they should attribute everything, maybe Coneca listings or CPG or whatever they wish. They should be clear about what they attribute and truly attribute it or say they won't attribute it not do something halfway.)

[Dick]

Ed, how can they call it a "weak doubled die"? That is synonamous with "being a little bit pregnant"! Either it is, and she is, or it ain't, and neither is she!
Dick

[GarryN]

I thought PCGS was attributing some of the 1972 doubled die varieties. I have never seen anything like that. Either attribute it or don't. Then the seller, who claims to be an ANA member can't attribute it either. But he still wants $75 for it. Dave Bowers is right. The slabbing game has taken alot of the work and fun out of the hobby. And when you get a vague attribution like this you still can't get the dealer to do any research on it.

[Bob P]

This sort of stuff by TPG services is precisely the reason why I seldom have anything slabbed. This amounts to nothing more than garbage. I never would have paid for a slab that said what this one does. I agree with you guys. Either know what it is and document it as such, or send it to someone who does know. What a waste!

[Gabe]

Wow.. Not only does it say "Weak" but it uses the word "double" instead of "doubled".

[GarryN]

Thats a new slab too. A couple people asleep at the switch at PCGS.

[rollmeupabe]

Is there any way to know if it is authentic?

[eagames]

They worded it the same:

http://www.pcgs.com/Cert/50047653.html