Can anybody tell me if and/or how PCGS can update a slab from one which does not show an edge to one that does? There are a few coins in which an edge variation is key to value because of it's subvariety. Two I have noticed lately are a S-76 and a S-11. Both have subvarieties which are rare and similar subvarieties which are not.
I believe you can request a prong holder with a "reholder" order. Just cite it on the order. Bill Jones shows an example of a lovely 1794 S-21 large cent in this thread at CU. It is in a prong holder and the prongs are clear. I'm a little down on pronged holders since I got burned by an NGC one largely concealing a very significant rim ding. I do enjoy seeing the coin's edge though, so I'm a little torn. Lance.
I'd love to see a mirrored 45 degree ring reflecting the edge rather than the prongs. I've seen it done in photographs and it shouldn't be much harder for slab manufacturers.
This is one of the reasons I do not like graded coins. I understand the benefits in fungability by having a standard grading scheme, but you really do lose a big part of the enjoyment of coin collecting when you lock the coins up in these things. They become little plastic tombs where coins go to loose all their mystic if you ask me.
I believe the puppy nailed this one too. To be sure, call them tomorrow: You can reach the PCGS customer service department Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm Pacific Time. In the United States call toll free at 800-447-8848. Outside the United States call 949-833-0600.
PCGS MIGHT do it on a reholdering if requested but mostly about the only thing the use edgeview for are the President and NA dollars. NCS when they were still slabbing briefly used clear prong edgeview holders. And of course NGC is all edgeview now. The only service currently doing that is Michigan Masters Numismatic Service (MMNS) Don't expect it from the others anytime soon becuase MMNS patented it and the others would have to license it from MMNS. they have told me that at one time PCGS was expressing interest in licensing it but apparently discussions broke off. PCGS may be trying to develop their own version that does not infringe on the patent, I don't know.) It would still be difficult to do such a holder for the early large cents though since they are not consistent in size.
Michigan Masters Numismatic Services had a edge viewing optics. You can get a hold of Bob Haire at: info.mnscoin@yahoo.com he has the patent for the edge viewing optics for sale!
