Ok so I am looking to submit a 1945-P Jefferson Nickel to PCGS because I am QUITE confident that it is a Tripled-Die Reverse Variety as found in the Cherrypickers Guide (FS-05-1945P-804 (030.5)). The final O in MONTICELLO is CLEARLY tripled as one looks to the right. Additionally the P mintmark has clearly shows 3 distinct impressions. I have tried to get good photo's for this post but it just does not show up clearly with my camera. Anyway, as far as submissions to PCGS, I have never done one before so I looked at their site and they state that you can either take it to a dealer for submission (which I really dont want to do because most of the dealers in my area either wont or they will but want to wait who knows how long until they have enough coins for submission to be worthwhile) OR you can purchase PCGS Membership (Diamond, Gold, or Silver levels of varying cost). When you purchase said PCGS Membership you can then submit coins on your own and the membership comes with a voucher for one (maybe more) free submissions for grading. HOWEVER, the voucher does not apply to the grading of MINT ERRORS (of course). I guess I would be ok with paying for a membership if that allows me the ability to submit coins without going through a dealer, so I am wondering if I purchase the membership can I then just pay the associated fee for the grading of my Tripled-Die Reverse and hang on to the voucher for a free grading and simply use it on a different coin that I will submit at a later date. Also, when you submit a coin for grading can you tell PCGS what you think the coin is, i.e. a DDR or a DDO or a TDR etc etc. Lastly is it easier to simply submit via NGC? ANY help would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!
The answer is yes to the first part of your question. I purchased a silver membership for $49/yr just to have pcgs submission privileges. You do not get any free vouchers with the silver membership unless they have changed things recently, but if you did receive a voucher, then I would hold on to it for a basic submission and just submit your variety by itself. Unlike NGC which has a minimum submission requirement, PCGS does not, but their prices are much higher too. To answer the second part of your question....you can tell PCGS what variety you have until you are blue in the face, but until they research it themselves you have nothing. Lastly, I have both PCGS and NGC memberships and submit to NGC 99% of the time. I am just more comfortable with their services. Hope this helps.
Prior to 1990/1991 mintmarks were punched into working dies by hand. I don't know if that was the case with War Nickels or not but if the mintmarks were punched by hand into the working dies used to strike War Nickels then I would think your coin is not a tripled die. The doubling or tripling on the working die would have occurred prior to the mintmark being punched into the working die.
All true IMO... I live on the West Coast so I use PCGS or ANACS. To each man his own. PCGS is expensive but they have never done me wrong yet. ANACS has been good to me as well, but if your going to choose between the top 2, I would go with your heart :smile
The 1945-P TDR is a recognized Jefferson Nickel variety and the tripling is evident on the mintmark, MONTICELLO, CENTS, & AMERICA. I don't currently own one, but here is the photo of the mintmark as shown in the NGC Variety Plus. As for the OP's questions. If you want your coin attributed as a variety, you must inform both services (NGC/PCGS) which variety it is and pay the associated fee for the attribution. I am not a member of PCGS so I don't know their fee structure. Under NGC's program, you would have to pay the grading fee for your coin and an additional $15 for the variety attribution. Furthermore, you must submit a minimum of 5 coins if you are submitting under one of the discount tiers (eg. Economy Grading $17/coin). Otherwise they will charge you the full $30 grading fee for the single coin. I can tell you that both NGC & PCGS recognize the variety that you are talking about: FS-804 (formerly FS-030.5) Out of curiosity, what grade do you think your coin is? This variety is pretty rare and is tough to find, and tough to price when you do find one. The last one Heritage sold was an MS67 and it went for $1292.50 (see link below). The NGC population for this variety is 13. Congratulations on your find. 1945-P/P/P 5C Tripled Die Reverse MS67 NGC. FS-804.
Read what it says at your link about the mint mark. I'm assuming you just worded your comment incorrectly. But I don't think you want readers to think the mint mark is part of the tripling when it isn't.
To answer thr question of the coin's condition I would say MS-64. There is a bag or contact mark on the coin's reverse in the field below "unum." I looked at past auction examples (thanks for thr link) and most of the coins graded MS-65 or 66 had at least one bag mark or nick, and I would say my coin is in very similar condition. Some of the pics below should give you a better idea as to its condition. I spent some more time trying to get a few decent shots of Tripling on the reverse most easily seen on the final "O" in MONTICELLO and the "P" mintmark but is also found on portions of the word "CENTS" (especially the "S") as well as "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." I think the most recent pictures I took are better and show some of this tripling though in the pictures it appears more like doubling, but wheb viewed in person it is pretty clear that it is in fact tripling.
Here are pics of the whole coin to give you a better idea of condition. Any guesses as to what it would grade? Sorry about the pictures being rotated. For some reason when I post pictures directly from my smart (read dumb) phone it puts the picture in whatever orientation it feels like even if I have them correctly rotated. Dont know what the deal is but hopefully these will at least give you an idea as to the general condition of the coin.
WeirdFishes, I can't tell if that is what you have from your pics. Truthfully, that last O in Monticello looks like mechanical doubling, but once again the pics are not the greatest.
Watch your prices vs. your value of the coin. PCGS is too freaking high. Anacs is ok. I am a ICG and NGC type of guy and always make my money back and then some. You must take everything into account when playing this game. Shipping to a TPG, grading. Variety Charge. Shipping charge back to you. Doesn't get a grade or variety you thought. Coin is garbage. Ebay fees. Or toss it in for your grand kids to fight over in 30yrs. I would do the $10 thingy at Anac or ICG any day. If the coin is worthy of what you thought and the label says so, well step up and "Maybe" send it in to PCGS for a chance only if you can make $$$ in the long term. G
