OK, I have a couple problem 1914-D Lincoln Cents that I have acquired over the years and I'm wondering if it is worth sending them ANACS to have them slabbed. The first one is a coin I really like and would never sell because it was really the first key coin in my collection and has a fun story behind it. I would like it to be slabbed if for no other reason than to be professionally authenticated and protected. The story behind that coin can be seen here:http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=39659 The second 1914-D is one I actually found. When I was young I visited a coin shop that had a big bin of wheat back cents you could buy for $0.03 each so every time I visited I would buy a $1 of those with whatever else I bought. It was fun to search through them. I found what I thought was a really beat up 1914-S cent but several years later reexamined it and found what I believe is a 1914-D...just beat up to the point of almost being unrecognizable. I was thinking if I had it slabbed maybe I could throw it up on eBay at some point...I'm not sure what it would be worth but I'm sure it's got some value. Anyway, what do you think or having these coins slabbed? Is it a total waste of money (I believe ANACS charges $12 each for these)?
#1 looks good, #2 is debatable, I cannot see the MM You wont get away with $12 tho. Your submission fee will be perhaps $12 at ANACS, then you have a minimum registered shipping back to you at about $20, plus the registered shipping to them. Plan on about $50 for a submission to ANY of the top tier folks. Thats why we piggy back them and gang up, we get to split up the fees. PCGS is worse, they add $5 per submission form, on top of all the tier and shipping fees. For the sake of authenitcity, you may want them slabbed, but looking at them they are both in the maybe $50 range as far as value goes. Sometimes sentimental value outweighs everything.
If you really want them preserved. I would slab them. However, like Jack says, it won't happen for $12 each. Not disagreeing with Jack's prices, but there are ways to cut the shipping charges. You could go to a show were ANACS or whichever attends and save shipping one way. If you know a dealer well, he could piggyback your 2 saving on shipping, but this might cost you more due to his higher rates for slabbing.
Here is as high res of a pic as I can do with that. This was scanned at super high res and I cropped the date. I didn't do any resizing on this image: Also, one thing I may do. I have a couple other coins I might want to have slabbed by PCGS. I might just get a hold of a dealer and have them all submitted once they begin their "Genuine" slabbing. That way, the other coins I want slabbed (with grades) will get slabbed and these can be put in a genuine slab...assuming they are.
Now your talking....at least on the multiple coin subs, it's the only way to go for folks on our budget. Like Rlm said, hit a show and submit, save that $20 shipping to them at least. For those wondering, PCGS is running a special this month, you save $50 on a Platinum membership...thats about 25% off and includes 8 free submissions and access to the pop reports, etc etc I re-join every spring Platinum and the 8 subs are worth $240 if you do it right. Still can't see that mintmark......don't have an opinion on the 2nd coin, if they don't either it will return in a BB regardless of the genuine service NO, I am not a koolaide drinker. It is the reality of the market ( in my series at least ) as a seller.
Well, I think there is a large coin show in Portland, Oregon in a few months...and I 'm going to school in Portland. I assume PCGS will be there...maybe I should just take them there and submit them in person. Do you have to have a membership if your in person at a show?
