So I'm about to send in a few coins to PCGS to have them graded. They are an 1895 O Morgan Dollar, 1912 D Barber Dime, 1889 Indian Head, and 1995 Double Die Lincoln Cent. Since I have never submitted coins before I have several questions. First of all, I don't plan to sell any of these coins, I know its probably not worth getting some of them graded $ wise, but I would just like to have a few of my favorite coins graded. #1 I posted pictures of the Morgan dollar on here before and the consensus was that it was worth probably around 350-450 in its condition, well I am submitting all of the coins under "economy" which has a $300 limit, do you think I can still submit it under that tier, and just put its declared value at $300? #2 The Barber dime I want to send in looks like it might have surface damage / cleaning on the front? Since it was part of my Great Grandfathers collection, I don't know, so what do you guys think? Will it be graded or not, and if it is, what do you think will be the range of grades it could get? (the pictures below are of the dime, the color is off for some reason) #3 The 1995 DDO, I know there are 2 ways to submit it, either through regular submission and on the front of the holder it will say Doubled Die Obverse, or through their Variety Attribution, which costs $24 more, but it will say DDO FS-101 (FS-040)? Also, this is probably a stupid question, but if you submit under just regular double die obverse, do they check to see if its doubled? #4 Each coin has 3 different PCGS numbers based on whether is BN, RB, or RD. If I submit a coin under RD, and they determine its only RB, what happens? #5 Lastly, it says all packages to PCGS must be insured, can I just send them Priority Mail (not Registered, Insured, or Express), or are they strict about that rule. Thanks for reading all of my questions and I appreciate responses to any that you know.
The drawback to declaring the value of the 1895-O at less than it's (supposed) actual value is that if PCGS loses the coin, they will not reimburse you for more than its declared value. Whenever I submit coins, I always place a value that would be on the high side closer to retail. On your DDO, if you don't request and pay for the variety attribution, they will not bother to look for it. I can't count how many times I've bought unattributed Morgans in both NGC & PCGS slabs just because the original submitter didn't want to pay the extra fee. But, getting back to the DDO, again, if PCGS loses the coin, you have no way of proving that it actually was a DDO. In both cases, it's called CYA! As for the RD designation, and someone please correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that PCGS stopped attributing this because of problems in the past with coins "turning" in the slab. It is always best to ship your coins "Registered". It is the only method that requires every postal employee who handles the package to sign for it. There is no "in-house" tracking for Priority packages. Chris
I get that I would only be reimbursed a lower amount, but if I put it at $450, I would have to submit it under "Regular" and then all of the coins would have to be under that tier, which would be $50 more on a $100 order. For the DDO, there is actually a different PCGS # for the Double Die submitted under regular service and the Variety Attribution service. A regular 1995 # is 3133, the Double Die under regular service is # 3127, if you submit Variety Attribution is # 38105. Are you sure they don't look for it, so I could submit 100 regular 1995 under the 1995 Double Die # 3127 and they would all come back graded under that? For registered, its another $11, the costs really start to add up, but now I understand the benefit you pointed out. Thanks for your answers.
Only answer I am sure of is that PCGS used to push the use of registered mail but now even they do not use it. I use the Priority mail with Signature service added and self insure for the lower value submissions. Found another answer for you. Submit all copper with RB number except for Lincolns that are submitted with the RD number. They still grade color but the color is no longer covered under their warranty only grade is covered.
I'm more familiar with variety attribution for VAM's, so I will have to say that I'm just not sure about their procedure where the DDO is concerned. My suggestion would be to call their customer service and ask just to be sure. Chris
So I'm about to send in a few coins to PCGS to have them graded. They are an 1895 O Morgan Dollar, 1912 D Barber Dime, 1889 Indian Head, and 1995 Double Die Lincoln Cent. Since I have never submitted coins before I have several questions. First of all, I don't plan to sell any of these coins, I know its probably not worth getting some of them graded $ wise, but I would just like to have a few of my favorite coins graded. #1 I posted pictures of the Morgan dollar on here before and the consensus was that it was worth probably around 350-450 in its condition, well I am submitting all of the coins under "economy" which has a $300 limit, do you think I can still submit it under that tier, and just put its declared value at $300? #2 The Barber dime I want to send in looks like it might have surface damage / cleaning on the front? Since it was part of my Great Grandfathers collection, I don't know, so what do you guys think? Will it be graded or not, and if it is, what do you think will be the range of grades it could get? (the pictures below are of the dime, the color is off for some reason) #3 The 1995 DDO, I know there are 2 ways to submit it, either through regular submission and on the front of the holder it will say Doubled Die Obverse, or through their Variety Attribution, which costs $24 more, but it will say DDO FS-101 (FS-040)? Also, this is probably a stupid question, but if you submit under just regular double die obverse, do they check to see if its doubled? #4 Each coin has 3 different PCGS numbers based on whether is BN, RB, or RD. If I submit a coin under RD, and they determine its only RB, what happens? #5 Lastly, it says all packages to PCGS must be insured, can I just send them Priority Mail (not Registered, Insured, or Express), or are they strict about that rule. Thanks for reading all of my questions and I appreciate responses to any that you know. ANSWERS #1 Yes. Just say $300. No biggie. #2 It appears from the obverse (especially) that the dime has been improperly cleaned. It also looks to have PVC haze. I wouldn’t submit it for grading. But I would at least give it an acetone bath. #3 If you want it attributed you will have to ask and pay for it. As for the 2nd part of your question, call PCGS and ask. 800-447-8848 #4 That field is unimportant. Just leave it blank. But if you insist, it doesn’t matter if you put down the code for RD or RB and it doesn’t make it. #5 Insurance is for your protection. Buy it or not. Sometimes I “self-insure” packages, which is to say I take a risk. If it gets lost I pay myself. Good luck, Lance.
Well said Lance. The dime sounds like an important coin because of the family history. I would give it a few acetone baths and send it in just for the holder. It looks cleaned but PCGS has this new deal with genuine holders. This is an email Don sent out to members. Dear Member, Once again thank you for continuing to make PCGS the most respected grading service in the world. There are thousands of Collectors Club members and we want you to know that we appreciate every one of you. If you have any issues or suggestions please contact the PCGS Customer Service department or see one of us at any show. We are making a few improvements to the PCGS Collectors Club membership and submission programs. Most of these improvements are effective immediately others will go into effect on November 15, 2011. · Genuine with Details. This is a new service that we are offering at no additional charge. You can now choose from three Genuine Service options. 1) Do not holder Genuine Coins; 2) Genuine with Details; 3) or the standard (default) Genuine service. Genuine with Details will print the coin problem as well as a details grade. We will not be using numeric grades. An example might be “Cleaned – XF Details”. New submission forms will be available in a few weeks however Genuine with Details is effective immediately, simply write it on your submission form. Note: you cannot mix Genuine services on one submission. · Secure Plus will now be offered on all services for all coins through Grading and Regrading submissions (no crossovers). This includes Modern ($20), Mint Errors ($65), Special Issues ($65) and Show Economy ($75). This is effective immediately. Please write it on the submission form until new forms are available. · All coins, both US and World, minted since 1955 and valued up to $1,000 can be submitted under the Modern Service. · All World coins minted prior to 1955 must be submitted through Secure Plus. This includes Chinese coins. Chinese coins minted from 1955 to date will no longer have to be submitted through Secure Plus. This will be effective for all orders received after November 15, 2011. · Many of you have contacted us wishing to upgrade your Collectors Club membership. We have tried to streamline the upgrade process as follows. To upgrade from Silver or Gold you simply pay the difference in membership cost. Any vouchers due will be sent to you. For example, an upgrade from Silver to Gold costs $80; an upgrade from Gold to Platinum costs $70, for each upgrade you will be sent a voucher for four Regular submissions. To upgrade to Diamond you must have a Platinum membership and then you must pay the difference in membership cost pro-rated over the remainder of your membership. Currently the difference between Platinum and Diamond is $100 annually. For example, upgrading from Platinum to Diamond with 6 months left on your membership will cost 6/12 of the $100 difference or $50. Please note that regardless of the upgrade type when your membership expires or automatically renews it will renew at the old level unless you go online and change it or call customer service to sign up under the new higher level. This is effective immediately. · Shipping on your account. If PCGS returns coins to you using your shipping account we have been charging $6 per shipping box, regardless of how many orders it contained. This has proven unwieldy. Effective November 15, 2011 all orders shipped using your account will be charged a $2 shipping fee per order. If you have any questions please contact PCGS Customer Service or stop at our table at any show. Happy collecting, Don Willis President, PCGS
