Noob question on first slab bought and be tampered with? 1 1

[Ice008]

Got my first graded comic off eBay and looks like the top left corner might have been tampered with. Looks like small crack or mark to me..Looking for opinions as I’m not sure. 

Thank you

[BA773]

Seller name? 

[ThothAmon]

Can’t make out book at issue but seems much more likely a stress crack created during the slabbing process. I’ve seen it in my own submissions many times. I ask what the book is is to determine if it’s such a high value book that tampering with the slab would even be worthwhile if so inclined?

[joeypost]

Looks like an x-men annual 14

[Ice008]

Yes it’s X-Men annual 14, 9.6 grade. 

thanks for the reply. This helps a lot

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Ice008

[Ice008]

Little bit of a better picture on the side

[Dr. Balls]

Probably stress cracking - I think if it was tampered with to the point of trying to switch out the book, changing your mind and bailing out halfway through the process - it would leave significantly more damage. I've tried to remove books from slabs (to keep the empty slab) and even being super careful, it caused a lot more damage than what you've got pictures of.

[revat]

On 11/29/2023 at 11:59 AM, Dr. Balls said:

Probably stress cracking - I think if it was tampered with to the point of trying to switch out the book, changing your mind and bailing out halfway through the process - it would leave significantly more damage. I've tried to remove books from slabs (to keep the empty slab) and even being super careful, it caused a lot more damage than what you've got pictures of.

Agree, the slab doesn't appear to be in perfect shape (slabs are not indestructible or without the occasional defect), but a slab that has been opened enough for a swap would show more/different damage than that.  If you prefer a newer or more perfect slab you can submit to CGC for a reholder (for a fee) re-slabbing service, which keeps the same grade.

[stormflora]

I'm leaning towards shipping damage. Or maybe the seller dropped it at one point during their possession and simply shrugged it off. It happens, we've all dropped something and cracked it before.

[Ice008]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the feedback.