i have a few foreign silver and gold coins i want to have graded and slabbed. whats the best way to submit them? on my own or through a dealer? i was looking at some third tier grading services that are reasonable, but i want something thats in the middle somewhere, reasonable but decent quality. these arent particulary valuable coins, i just want to start slabbing some of my better pieces. not planning on ever selling either. what do you reccomend?
Never selling ? . . . Presumably you want these certified so that your heirs will be protected against an unfair return . . . good move. I'll recommend only PCGS or NGC, simply because too many buyers, unscrupulous and not, pay less for coins in lesser holders, not because they're worth less, but because almost all buyers subscribe to a stigma unfairly applied across the board to all coins in those holders. If you were going to sell your coins before passing, I'd say it doesn't matter . . . in fact I wouldn't advocate slabbing at all if you know your coins and grading well enough to shop them to and sell to the right dealers. The holders are a substitue for knowledge, only when the knowledge isn't already yours to apply.
Unless you are an expert, absolutely go through a dealer and believe him when he says it is not worth it or it will not grade. However, that does not mean use the first dealer you see. Dealer's fees can be all over the map.
Although I agree with the posts from toughcoins & rlm's cents, I recommend that you post photos of the coins you are considering having slabbed. Folks here can then provide their recommendations.
I look forward to your photos. I hope it is OK to post my 5000 Dinar coin dated 1320 (1902). Mine is raw.
thats just like mine. others are a 1908 bavaria 5 mark. 1874 prussia 5 mark. a hamburg 5 mark. and a 1867bb 2 franc.
I don't think that I have any of those. While looking through my photos I did find this 1913 German States 3 Mark. Again, I hope it is OK to post it in your thread. I think the toning on this one is pretty cool.
I always use a local dealer. PCGS or NGC - whichever they are planning to send their own coins to. That way we can split the shipping and processing costs. Plus, it never hurts to have a second set of eyes to look the coins over. Also, you won't have to join the Collectors Club, fill out the forms, box em up, go to the post office, ect.
