I have a set from APMEX all graded PCGS BU FS. Would it be to my financial advantage to send them back to PCGS for a numerical grade? Thanks for your opinions.
I am assuming that this is the bullion set, and not the collector set. If probably wouldn't be worth it. For more detailed information, search for the 2010 ATB threads that were active back then. Impressions (which have all been denied) were: 1) APMEX sent their coins in for grading. The ones that didn't make it were BU. Several other dealers are suspected of doing the same. One or two dealers appear to have had the ATBs slabbed as BU so they didn't need to deal with handling and packaging them. Depending on who had your set slabbed, it may have failed cherry-picking; it may not. 2) Grading standards appear to have changed several times, being easiest at the beginning and getting more difficult. Several people sent in ATBs expecting to get MS69 (based on previously graded ATBs) and received MS 67. If you want a graded set, compare the cost of selling the ones you have and buying a graded set to the cost of grading. Examine your ATBs with a loupe - if you see much in the way of flaws, you probably have - at best - a MS68.
Thanks for that, TD. It is the bullion. I never thought about it the way you have explained it. Sounds like the best way to go.
There is a quote that I've seen many times before: "buy the coin, not the slab". Due to the changes in grading standards, two ATBs that are both MS69 may be in very different condition. Check the coin very carefully before you buy it.
