PCGS Attribution Service Question

To answer the OP question.

First, double check the coin to make sure that no trace of the FG is visible, even a slight ghost image should disqualify it as the FS-901.

Do not submitted the coin to PCGS for grading, submit it for re-holdering and variety attribution. If you submitted it for grading and it down grades to a SP66 they will only pay the difference between what is currently on the holder and the new grade before attribution (SP67 = $36 and SP66 = $17).

If you submit your coin to PCGS by itself, it will cost:
$ 10.00 Application / Handing
$ 12.00 Re-holding Fee
$ 18.00 Variety Attribution Fee
$ 22.00 Return Postage
$ 62.00 Total

What do you get out of it for the cost?

Currently your coin sitting in the slab it is in by PCGS price guide is valued at $36.00

Once the FS-901 is added to the label, PCGS price guide is $ 2,500.00. The last three that I followed graded SP67 on Great Collections or Heritage sold for in PCGS plastic between $1,500.00 - $1,800.00

I hope your coin is the right critter, if you picked it up for under $50, you did good, real good.

 

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Great words of advice. I have the ANA Show coming to my area next weekend and plan to submit it there for the designation from PCGS. Also, we'll just say that I paid SP67 price for it

 

This web site sucks. Can't even express myself here in trying to drive home a point. Treat everyone like this Jim and before long you'll be left talking to yourself.

 

Well if you feel you need a website where you think you should be able to break the rules then this probably isn't for you. But there are a GREAT many other collectors that like the rules here just fine.

 

I was out of town and away for a few days, and now my ears are burning.

I do anything for which I have or can access an attribution guide. This includes FS numbers, such would be the case for the half in the OP. The resources page on my website has links to online attribution resources that I use in addition to books I have. Best bet is to ask me before making a shipping decision.

 

I banged my head a bit while looking over your photos...1966 SMS NO FG Kennedys have a classic appearance to them. They are struck from highly over-polished die pairs which can be easily distinguished by only looking at the OBV. of the coin...they stick out easily from normal strikes as they are extremely over-polished. Then flip the coin over to confirm the NO FG variety. Your example does not have the classic appearance of a NO FG example as it appears in the photos to not be over polished. This does not explain the missing FG in your photo, so your coin should be very carefully looked over by an expert grader, as it may not be a genuine NO FG as it appears to be. Good luck!

 

I just looked through the set registry last night and noticed that the 1966 FS-901 isn't included in the set of Kennedy Halves. I had assumed that the entire reason it carried such a premium, namely in a PCGS Holder, was because of the Registry. I noticed that the ones in NGC Slabs in the same grade go for consid

Actually, it does have a clear separation between the nose and eyebrow, with mirroring between the eye and the nose bridge. The "better quality" of the Obverse appearance may be the reason that it's potentially the 17th SP67 graded FS-901? I know coinfaCoisays there are currently 17, however one must have passed into the sole SP68 because after research, the SP67 now only has 16 in the population. Anyways, I will take a clearer photo of the eye and nose area later this evening for reference.

 

Also look for any signs of Cameo Contrast on the high points as the genuine NO FG has none.

 

No cameo whatsoever on this one

 

Looks like the real beast to me. Has the typical mushy and over polished OBV. What's going on with the "R" in LIBERTY? It does not match the "R" on the known OBV. die associated with this variety. Can you shoot another pic. of the "R" and another of the area around the missing FG on the rev.?

 

I hadn't even noticed the R in LIBERTY until you mentioned it. Very observant of you. Interestingly, I found a couple things while taking the closer look at this coin. The R does not match up with the SP67, nor the SP66 pictured for quick reference on Coinfacts. However, it does match up to the one they have graded SP68. Also, while looking at the FG area under different lighting, I have found that at a specific angle, there are dots visible where the G was. Also the noticable difference in the diagnostics of the SP68 that is different from the other two. It certainly shows a ghost of what once was there. Now I'm curious if this is either a misattribution or judging by the grade, a sample of one of the earliest No FG's struck from the dies? I have noticed the same dots from the G on at least one SP67 that I have found previous auction data for as well. I know there are two separate No FG designations that both carry the FS-901 from the TPG's for the '66 but haven't been able to find much info aside from buying a Kennedy book.

 

This one actually even has the same set of polishing lines/scratches in the field behind Kennedy's head

 

They ALL have a ghost image...commonly a slight rise from the field...remnants of over polishing...I don't recall ones with dots like your coin has. See Cherrypicker's Guide for a large and detailed photo.

 

Problem solved...and actually rather funny. The FS-901 is always referred to as the NO FG, however, Coneca lists the FS-901 in 5 separate stages depending on the die state. I believe that your question about the R of LIBERTY is a clue to either an entirely new Die State, or a fine line between two known die states. In Stage D, the F is "very faint to gone"(says nothing about the G), and in Stage E, the nose and eye are abraded like mine, yet it says "Initials Abraded Away". So that answers the "dots" I mentioned from the G. The same characteristics of the Sole Top Pop SP68. Maybe being the earliest state of the "No FG" is that in between? Either way, the die pairing is FS-901. The NO FG title is trivial to the issue because only in the latest die stage does it say both initials are Abraded away according to Coneca. Obviously the desirability drives up if ALL of the initials are gone, but to get to that point, it would almost have to be VVLSD...Very VERY late die state, in which you would likely end up with a lower grade.

 

Good work Puddin'farts...will do more study on mine. Good luck with grading at PCGS...call them first for details...make sure they don't bump down the existing grade.

 

I spoke with a PCGS Dealer at a show last weekend about it and all claims were the same as PCGS States: If I wish for an Attribution on the label and no grading to be done, it's a reholder fee in addition to the attribution. I actually decided to list it up on America's favorite auction site without the attribution assuming anyone willing to pay the money it's worth will be able to see that it's clearly an FS-901 Variety. Of course now I realize that the ANA Show is coming to town this weekend where I could have consigned through GC Oh well I guess it's getting good response so far.

 

They're very scarce in MS67 cond. A must have for any serious Kennedy collector...well worth any fees involved.

 

Thank you, sir.

 

To some extent yes, but it will most likely hold it back as they will take into account all the fees for them to have it labeled as such and since they are only looking at pictures some uncertainty will likely enter as well. Hope it works out for you, but a lot of the times that method leads to a lower price than the submission would have cost

 

Thank you for your advice, wishes, and wisdom on the matter. Although contradictory, you're definitely right on the issue. If the buyer takes into account the fees involved, yet the price lost on my end is more than the submission cost, it is unfortunate. However, on the same side, the submission cost is figured to be around$55-65. Common Sense on my end would be to hold back from bidding that extra $65 for the submission knowing what I know now on the simple reholder+attribution submission. I understand most people may not see it that way, but if someone is watching that knows the value, he knows without doubt that it will be designated the FS-901 and will gladly pay up to that extra $65 to add a 17th SP67's into the population. I know it won't be a likely outcome, but I took my chances.