First Post - Hello All! - What and How to submit to grading services?

Hi Everyone! I have been "lurking" here for a while since I found the site about a year ago. I have come to appreciate the advanced knowledge I encounter each time I visit. I know I am in esteemed company : )

You could say I am a new coin collector, having recently found my way back to the hobby (I am 34, and collected when I was a young boy) through economic dislocations directing me toward gold and silver bullion, then gold and silver numismatic coins. It turns out I find the coins themselves much more attractive than the bullion in them! I am sure you here are familiar with being captivated by the beauty of coins. You could say I became spellbound and, well, bought a lot more over the past year-and-a-half than I thought I would : )

I have been accumulating raw MS (in my opinion) Morgan and Peace dollars, some MS Walking Liberty halves, raw $2-1/2 and $5 American gold, and PCGS-graded St Gaudens and Liberty $20 coins. I also have a gorgeous trade dollar and a bust half.

I have amassed quite a store of Morgan and Peace dollars (maybe 250). I feel that I have a decent handle on the approximate grades on them. This is what I am hoping!

So, I'd like to open up a few questions to the experts in here...

- Can I post some coin pics for some grading opinions? I think it's such a cool thing that you do that here!
- I have not yet submitted coins for grading. Is there a better / worse time to submit coins? Or is any time a good time if you want to have coins graded?
- I am thinking I would submit to PCGS, as they seem to get a lot of good press on these forums and elsewhere. Should I submit to only one grading service or more than one?

My mother lives in Pt St Lucie FL and I happened upon Atlas Coins, where Will Rossman works, who, according to employees there (he wasn't in when I stopped by), is very connected in the coin community and has great knowledge of grading. The guy I spoke to suggested that I bring my coins to Will Rossman for his opinions on which I should submit for grading. Does this sound like a good idea?

OK, maybe this is too many questions for a first post. Feel free to tell me! I would like to join your community, so you should know that this won't be my last post : )

Thank you all for your thoughtful consideration. I look forward to your opinions.

All the best -

Terry

 

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WELCOME
I think we need a welcome thing at the left there.
As to grading services I never use them but I'm sure we have many members that can tell you all about what to do. Also, you could just go to the PCGS or NGC web site, the most popular TPGS's, and ask them.

 

The top 4 TPG companies do have offers and "clubs" that provide the information and often a discount on a certain number of gradings. This also allows you to submit them directly rather than through a dealer. You can search for threads about the various companies, there are pros and cons for all of them. If you have varieties, such as Morgan and Peace dollars (VAM) numbers, the charge for adding this validation to the label varies and should be considered in the charge estimate.

If you present a photo and ask for a grading, the forum is very good at letting you know what their idea of grade is.

And before I forget, WELCOME!!!!

Jim

 

Welcome aboard Terry. Hope you post some pics

 

Welcome!!!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I will absolutely post pics. I have a nice digital SLR so I can post some sharp pics. What kind of lighting is best? Should I use the flash?

Most likely will post photos Mon or Tues. A little busy between now and then. Looking forward to continuing the conversation.

Terry

 

what happens if GE light bulbs do not exist

 

I posted a coin here:
http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t48466/

Didn't get the GE Reveal light bulb yet. Tried regular light bulb with no camera flash. Doesn't seem to capture the luster very well.