When everyone who has ever sent a coin in says they all have never had a problem, then we can go from there. It's not a monetary thing, it's a sentimental thing.
Gbroke, I would be more worried about the USPS than what happens at NGC. NGC handles tens of thousands of valuable coins every year without a problem. If you watch a video of the process they go through to ensure everything is right, it is quite impressive. I'd maybe send it by FedEx, in a larger box. Nobody would suspect anything then. If it only had to be graded, I'd wait for two years from now and just go to the next ANA Worlds fair in Rosemont. That wouldn't be that far for you to go and you could hand it to them right there in person. But since you would like to do the conservation, you'd probably have to send it in.
Why rush into it? As you said, it has been in your family for over 200 years. So why rush into it? Just wait until you can make it to the next show with onsite grading and skip the worry. Just my 2c ~Cannyn
Absolutely Yes, My 1995 Double Denomination was certified in Baltimore Coin Show in Maryland, Year 2000. I wait more than 4 years and never entrusted that coin to any TPG that they will certified my coin after submission to them and wait for 3 weeks. I do not want that. Luckily, Mr. Alan Hager of Accugrade arrived in Baltimore Coin Show, Maryland. Then I talk to him if he can certified my coins while I'm waiting. Mr. Hager, agreed and certified that coins while I was watching and waiting... After more or less an Hour of waiting, I got my coins back slabbed beaitifully with a lot of peoples looking and asking if my coins is FOR SALE... To gbroke, I think it is better to wait the right time that your coin will be certified while you are watching...that's all..
I don't submit nearly as many coins as LostDutchman but I have been submitting coins without problems since the days when ANACS was in Colorado Springs & they gave me photo certificates (not slabs). I've never had a problem. I've only used PCGS and NCS/NGC in the last 10 years.
correction--- I did give ANACS a 1885 nickel at a show & they slabbed it for my pick-up the next day. So I have used NCS/NGC, PCGS, and ANACS in the last 10 years. All were without any problems.
I wouldn't worry about sending it in to a TPG. I mean if they lost coins, they'd be out of business so ten minutes ago!