What is the best way to pack up coins to be graded? I have decided to send a couple of gold coins to ICG for grading, and I know enough to send them Registered, but what is the best way to pack these coins? They request that I send them in unstapled flips, but beyond that I am unsure.... any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, has anyone had good/bad experiences with ICG? They rank well in Grey Sheet evaluation (2nd to PCGS it appears). Thanks. -Mike
I don't think I would send my coins to ICG if they are high grade moderns, but other than that they have a very strong reputation. As for packing, just use the unstapled plastic flips and pack them in a padded envelope. If you want more protection then add a layer of folded newspapers or bubblewrap to the packing.
I also wouldn't send them to ICG---NGC is where I would go. To send coins I would go to the post office and ask for a flat rate envelope ($4.05) and place the coins and such in there....add insurance to lets say $500 (under $10) and mail it....that is cheaper than Registered and IMHO just as safe....mark the insurance paper as numismatic collectbles---don't just put money. Speedy
You can get mailers from Walmart that are just as good as the post offices packages and a lot cheaper. I agree that you should use a 2x2 flip, sealed edges with tape, put in a piece of folded over cardboard so nothing could be shakem out, add mewspaper or bubble rap over that. Tape all edges securely. I've had coins dissapear in the mail regardless of registered and insured. The fast shake method makes sharp, heavy objects burst out of corners. Now as to insurance, I absolutely agree that you should get insurance, however, be carefull. Not sure but I heard of a court case where someone insured something for more than it was worth and it was considered a felony. Not sure of the details but you may want to check this out with the post office.
If you're sending Commemoratives for grading I know you have to take it out of the case but do you hvae to take it out of the plastic round too?
No....but they will charge you $1 for each one they have to take out of the holder.....I did that once because I couldn't open the mint's plastic round and I thought I might hurt the coin....I paid them $1 to take it out and it came back PF68HEVCAMEO...... Speedy
ICG does a heck of a job with circulated coins and those MS grades below 68. Their slab with the Intercept Shield protection is 2nd to NONE. They have assembled some of the best graders in the world and the fact that NONE of their employees are allowed to own and trade coins is very attractive. This makes them a true independent TPG in my book. I would also submit coins to PCGS over NGC as PCGS is more respected by the entire coin community over NGC. (Watch the NGC defenders go crazy now). Because of this resepect by the numismatic community, PCGS slabbed coins carry a premium over NGC and the others. So...eventually you may have to liquidate your collection, so why not realize the highest prices? This is well documented in prices realized by the major auction houses like eBay, Teletrade, Heritage, and others! Look up what a PCGS coin sells for over NGC and you can see yourself. One of the reasons for this gap is that NGC has been more "liberal" on their grading than PCGS. For instance, if you look at the number of 70 grades NGC hands out compared to PCGS, NGC hands out about 10 to 15 times MORE 70 grades than PCGS! The market has seen this and responded. Again, watch the NGC defenders go crazy. Look, NGC is a decent TPG, but all things being equal...if I have to submit, I am going to submit to the service that is most respected in the marketplace. You will hear that this "price gap" is closing and I will say, "Oh really!?!". Again, do some on line research yourself and LOOK at the numbers and YOU be the judge, otherwise you will just get a bunch of opinions and you know the saying: "Opnions are are like ---holes, everybody has one."
yeah, and even though mine doesn't stink, everyone elses does! LOL sorry I couldn't resist. As for Midas's advice regarding the resale of coins, he is right for most coins. If the coin is whatever specific grade then it will generally sell for more in PCGS plastic than anyone else's. There are numerous previous discussions of this subject in the board's archives, so just do a search and you you should find a few threads that discuss the differences in pricing between the grading services.
I just stick the coins in flips and pack all the flips for an individual invoice in a zip lock bag. Tape the baggy so the flips don't shift. Stick them in a padded mailer or box and off they go. Registered Mail is find if the value warrants it. I think the breaking point between insured and Registered is cheaper is $700.
