This came up on the ICG thread, but I'd thought I'd start a fresh thread focused on the issue. What do you do (or should you do) to prepare coins to submit to the TPGs? I've acquired coins for years in PCGS, NGC, ANACS and ICG slabs but only in October did I submit coins myself (to ICG, which was easy, affordable and a good experience for me). What tips / tricks do you all have for folks who want to submit to TPGs? Are there any idiosyncrasies that you've observed with regard to one or the other of the big four? I mostly have silver coins, though I also have some capped bust and draped bust large cents. I understand that a lot of folks dip their silver coins in acetone (NOT nail polish remover - the straight stuff!). Is this common? I have always done nothing with my coins in an effort to make sure they stay as original as possible, but my understanding is that acetone doesn't affect luster or count as cleaning, can anyone confirm that or has anyone had a different experience? Off topic, but do you ever just see something kind of stupid that's not in your wheelhouse, and buy it because it's a good price and it caught your eye? Here's my latest in that regard. Who knows, might submit them at some point too!
If I'm submitting uncirculated coins, I'll often swish them in acetone, just in case they have picked up a recent fingerprint that hasn't showed up yet. And I would soak any coin that had something kinda sticky looking on it. (Though these may be doctored with something to cover up problems, so think long and hard before you buy.) Just my way of doing it.
That's 1/7th of the 28 coin Montreal Olympics silver series. There was also a gold coin that completed the series. Gold bullion had recently become available for public purchase so there was a lotta interest in the gold coin. Unfortunately, you had to buy a subscription for the entire 28 coin silver series to purchase the gold coin.
If you can keep gold and silver on separate submissions. If you're submitting something with colorful toning don't put it with some clearly AT coins as that will make them suspicious of all color in the submission. Try not to put "junk" coins like doctored ones with good coins. Coins can be submitted in their original packaging Priority and express mail work just fine 99.99 percent of the time for submissions under 5k Submitting on a Friday is pointless unless you use express, priority most places will get there at the same time if you ship on Saturday and it won't just sit around all day Sunday waiting for Monday Don't put PCGS/NGC/CAC etc on the address. Find a some employee name or initials or just make something up. It'll still go to the submission from the address.
I was just thinking of acetone. Or I have kind of patted some things with soapy fingers, without ill effects.. That comment might get me here though. Avoid any rubbing, definitely.
What you should do to a coin to prepare it for a TPG depends on the condition of the coin. If it’s a coin obtained from a mint or one that has never been out of mint packaging, you probably should do nothing unless there is an obvious problem. You are likely to do more harm than good. Same goes for a coin that you are going to crack out of a TPG holder for submission. TPGs will remove coins from mint packaging or a slab for a fee. For other coins, a dip in acetone or other appropriate solvent is a good idea if you know how to do it properly. Advisability of any other restoration or conservation depends on problems and expertise. Finally, carefully follow the instructions provided by the TPG for flips, labeling and packaging. Cal
First time for everything I guess. I actually can't disagree with anything baseball21 says here Try to avoid Artificial Toned or doctored or damaged (problem) coins in the same submission as other good coins, when in doubt leave them out. If they pick up on one, they are going to automatically think there will be others and not give you the benefit of the doubt if it's just good natural toning, they will suspect AT toning and disqualify it also even if it isn't they will suspect it because the other was. harsh contact marks will become "rub" or "whizz" or "altered surfaces" "questionable color" and detailed graded as "graffiti" even , the whole submission gets viewed as "what other problems do I need to look for and notice since they sent this thing in which is clearly a problem". If you want to gamble on some coins you think are questionable and see what they think, do that in it's own submission and have fun. It's as if the one coin with a problem that should have been seen and not submitted kicks their radar into overdrive and they will peg a lot more than normal as problems even for minor things that aren't necessarily a problem really.
Does anyone have any top tips for noticing that a coin is "problematic" if it's not immediately obvious? Even under 10x magnification I still haven't figured out how to tell if a coin has been cleaned in it's distant past if it doesn't have little obvious scratches from being rubbed / scrubbed with something.
There's no extra fee. You can submit them in mint packaging at no extra charge. PCGS will return the packaging for free, NGC will charge you to return it. All of them will crack coins out of competitors slabs to grade raw for free.
