The price of grading just doesn't justify submission. (Speaking particularly of moderns, rims beauty not withstanding).
Where's the cheapest to get coins graded and do you have to join to get best price. Do you see NCG or ANACS overtaking PGCS. Or even one of the other company's. Which one do you respect the most. Has that changed in the last 10 years.
I use NGC and PCGS. You must join to send coins in yourself. You don't need to join NGC if you are an ANA member. The web sites for each will give you an idea of the cost. You are probably looking at $20-$30 per coin.
Can you go over and rattle their cage? They've got 20 of my Buff nickels waiting for the ANACS magic. ANACS has taken to doing monthly specials. This month is Buffalo nickels for only $6 a pop. Even mid-MS 1930's Buffs don't have enough value for PCGS nor NGC. Since I'm selling mine I am hoping the cost will be more than made up by having them slabbed -- even by ANACS.
I started collecting. roll hunting five or so years ago, and have found a few late die states. still in mint condition. I have thought I lost this one a few times. It puts a smile on my face when I find it again.
I am pretty sure that is not a late die state. That coin has seen some acid. I will bet if you weigh it, it will be light.
There is a type of late die state that produces the "orange peel" effect. I suspect that's what the quarter is exhibiting.
Not quite what I expected, but it is definitely not heavy. Are the rims also porous or are they sharp?
While this is true, joining at a premium level ($125) will get you a coupon for 5 free early bird (5x$30=$150), standard world (5x$35=$175), or standard ancient (5x$40=$200) submissions. So as long as you have 5 coins to submit that are all in the same service that can't otherwise go economy, it will actually save you money to join at a Premium level.
I've got a full mint luster 1983 P quarter that is so poorly struck (I'm assuming late die state) that the group of arrows the eagle is standing on does not have any of the horizontal lines separating the arrows. It's just a hazy blob!
If the rims look porous like the coin, it has nothing to do with the strike. Those reeds should be sharp regardless of the strike.