When did PCGS start holdering problem coins and using the Genuine label?

As mentioned already 2007 is when the TPGs first started slabbing problem coins. If one searches the forum they'll find a great many posts/threads from that time condemning it, applauding it, and discussing it in pretty much every way imaginable.

You could also search the numismatic magazine archives and find many articles there as well.

Over the years many of the definitions used by PCGS, as well as other TPGs, have changed. And no they didn't all happen at the same time. You can find examples in the PCGS grading book, (2nd edition was 2004), and they'll be different from what is used today; in what they call the Lingo section on their website, and a different section (can't recall exactly what they call it) but it's where they tell you what they will give clean grades and what they will give problem coin designations. You could also use the Way Back Machine (internet archive) and examples there.

This is a copy of what the problem coin designations used to be from some years ago. The only way I can find the original creation date of this file is to dig into some of my backups from years ago, and I have no idea which one off the top of my head. But I'll see if I can dig it up. But it does specifically list what you asked about Larry.

No Grades
PCGS will not grade and encapsulate any coins with the following problems:

82 Filed Rims Rim(s) and/or edge is filed.

83 Peeling Lamination Potential for sealing damage.

84 Holed and/or Plugged Any filled or non-filled hole.

86 No Opinion – our experts are unable to determine a coin’s authenticity –
fee not refunded

87 Not Eligible For Service Selected – the coin is too valuable for the
chosen service level – fee refunded

90 Questionable Authenticity – the coin is most likely a counterfeit.

91|N-1 Questionable/Artificial Toning (or Questionable Color for copper)

92|N-2 Cleaned – surface damage due to a harsh, abrasive cleaning

93|N-3 Planchet Flaw - Metal impurity or defect in the planchet –
depends on severity

94|N-4 Altered Surface - Whizzed, harsh cleaning, thumbed over
(using a pasty substance to cover defects or alter the appearance).

95|N-5 Scratch - depends on the severity of the scratch. Rim dent.

96|N-6 No Service – coins we do not certify (i.e. medals, some privately
made issues, etc.) or cannot certify (i.e. over-sized coins)

97|N-7 Environmental Damage – i.e. corrosion, coating (lacquer),
excessively heavy toning, etc.

98|N-8 Damage – deliberate surface damage, i.e. graffiti, spot(s) removed,
etc. – depends on severity

99|N-9 PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) – a plasticizer used to produce vinyl that
will leach out of the holder and onto the coin, eventually damaging the
surfaces.




No Grade Description
90 Not Genuine
91 Artificial Color
92 Cleaning
93 Planchet Flaw
94 Altered Surfaces
95 Scratch / Rim Dent
96 Refund - No Service
97 Environmental Damage
98 Damage
99 PVC

 

This is a copy of problem coin designations and codes taken from their website quite few years later. And as you can see they didn't even mention the codes 82,83, and 84 any longer. And if memory serves, what they say today is even different from this.


PCGS – “NO GRADES”, GENUINE SERVICE, AND DESIGNATIONS
No Grades
PCGS will not grade and encapsulate any coins with the following problems:
86 No Opinion – our experts are unable to determine a coin’s authenticity – fee refunded
87 Not Eligible For Service Selected – the coin is too valuable for the chosen service level – fee refunded
90 Questionable Authenticity – the coin is most likely a counterfeit.
91|N-1 Questionable/Artificial Toning (or Questionable Color for copper)
92|N-2 Cleaned – surface damage due to a harsh, abrasive cleaning
93|N-3 Planchet Flaw - Metal impurity or defect in the planchet – depends on severity
94|N-4 Altered Surface - Whizzed, harsh cleaning, thumbed over (using a pasty substance to cover defects or alter the appearance).
95|N-5 Scratch - depends on the severity of the scratch
96|N-6 No Service – coins we do not certify (i.e. medals, some privately made issues, etc.) or cannot certify (i.e. over-sized coins)
97|N-7 Environmental Damage – i.e. corrosion, coating (lacquer), excessively heavy toning, etc.
98|N-8 Damage – deliberate surface damage, i.e. graffiti, spot(s) removed, etc. – depends on severity
99|N-9 PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) – a plasticizer used to produce vinyl that will leach out of the holder and onto the coin, eventually damaging the surfaces.

GENUINE Service
Coins with any of the problems listed above (except codes 86, 87, 90, 96, and 99) may be submitted under the PCGS Genuine Service. Holders and inserts for the Genuine service will be identical to the normal PCGS holder except that the insert will read “GENUINE” in place of the usual grade. No grade will be assigned to these coins, but they will be eligible for inclusion in the PCGS Set Registry with a grade value of 1. Genuine service coins will be covered under the PCGS Guarantee of Authenticity but not under the PCGS Guaranty of Grade. PCGS reserves the right to reject any coins submitted under the Guarantee Service, including coins that are excessively damaged, altered to such a degree that making a determination of authenticity is difficult or impossible, or which have surface contaminants that may harm the coin in the future. In such cases, PCGS will refund the fee and related shipping charges for that coin. Customers should submit all coins for the Genuine Service on a regular PCGS submission form, marking “GENUINE SERVICE” in the “Other” box. The fee for the Genuine service is $100 per coin. Turnaround times for the Genuine Service will be approximately two weeks. The Genuine Service is a stand-alone service and is not available in combination with any other service levels. “No-grades” from other service levels must be resubmitted under the Genuine Service in order to be encapsulated.