2011 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set

It appears that new releases are getting simpler in detail and lack the eye appeal of older coins. This seems most evident since the new laser technology has been employed. It may not end up being an improvement at all.

 

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When the ASE ws introduced most did not collect it and cited the "corporate" looking eagle as one reason. Too bad they didn't use the same eagle from the WLH, one of my favorite eagles.

 

So I was thinking about getting these graded, but I don't have any experience with that. I think that it will cost the following:
Fees to join - $40 NGC or $50 PCGS
Fees for grading - $17 each NGC or $14 each PCGS
shipping and insurance both ways.

So this would mean that for 5 sets it would cost $415 for NGC or $400 for PCGS, plus approx $60 for shipping and insurance both ways. Am I missing anything? I don't want the First Strike designation. I also see that NGC is 12 business days and PCGS is 20-30 business days.

I prefer the OGP, but since I am selling some I think if I can get a set of 70's that would take care of everything. I would even think about cracking out my set to keep (I wish I didn't have to send in all 5 sets). I am thinking that the non-unique coins with the 25th label will command a premium also, since many will only send in the two keys, or will open the packages so that they cannot get the special label. Still undecided here. If I was keeping all a5 sets it wouldn't be a question, but since I am selling some it would be great to have some graded.

 

You could call them and ask if you send in the unopened box would they grade 4 sets and leave one alone and not charge you.
That might make the best of both worlds from what I"m hearing from you.

 

I think you might actually want the FirstStrike designation. I can't tell you why, but people pay more for them.

 

What if the one they don't grade is the only one that could get a 70?

My thought is grade all 5, hope for some 70's (they'll pay all of the costs incurred so far, plus some), then the lower graded ones get cracked out and go into OGP. PCGS will return OGP for these sets.

 

I know that is true with most coins (and I don't understand it either), but since these will all essentially be FS coins I don't know how true it would be with these. My main reason for not doing though would be the extra fees, it would more than double the cost of grading. Couldn't find the NGC price, but PCGS was $18 per coin for FS designation.

 

I was referring to Goldmembers post of not wanting to grade all 5 as he wanted to save money.

I'm sure there are many that would not grade any of them and many that would want them all graded.
I myself am debating it right now.

 

Yeah, getting the OGP back is a must for me if I grade them. I just hate not being able to open them and look at them as soon as they come in the mail. It is always like Christmas when I get new coins. Plus I worry that I will get problem coins and I won't know it until after I pay to have them graded.

 

Could you avoid the $40 or $50 fee if you had a friendly dealer send them in for you?

 

There's no such animal....... I'm joking, of course. Bad one, albeit.

Great suggestion Chris.

 

I think you could avoid the fee, but having a dealer submit them might come with its own costs

 

All of this stuff regarding to slab or not, to open or not, simply has me frozen not knowing what to do I guess. I bet you money when the 5 sets come in the mail I will simply put the entire box away for a bit until I decide.

 

Friendly Dealer.......

 

That's wise and it's what I intend to do, but I won't be sending any in for grading. I'll let the dust settle and see which way the wind blows....

 

I wonder how many of us have a dealer we could trust to not mingle our coins with their coins? I don't have one in my area. The dealer - "Let's see I'm sending off the sets my family members ordered for me and sets from Mike and Tom." Mike's come back MS70 cameo. Tom's come back with two MS70s and the rest MS69s. The dealer's come back straight MS69s. The mortgage payment is due. What does he do? Swap his coins for MS70s and pay the mortgage or return proper coins to Mike and Tom and not pay the mortgage or gambling tab. What does he do? The older I get the more cynical (or realistic?) I become.

 

Same thought crossed my mind and believe me, it's been done.

 

Me too! But, even though there may be more money in getting them graded FS (at a substantial cost), I'm 99% certain I'll open them and off the lower grade ones on eBay when prices stabilize.

Just don't trust the grading companies to return any 70's I may have sent them. I know many say you can "trust" them, but, I've been taught, if a system can be abused, it will be. The whole grading system is rife with areas were abuse can occur. So, for now, I’ll hone my grading skills by trying to identify the 70’s and if not, at least identify coins that are superior to others.

Another problem with getting them graded right out of the mint is you haven’t given the coin time to age a bit, which may show problems later, which will negate any 70 designation on the holder, unless you can find a sucker that buys the slab and not the coin and I’d rather not go there.

 

Email just received:

"Dear United States Mint Customer:

We are fully aware of the difficulties many customers encountered last week with the release of the American Eagle 25th Anniversary Set. We would like you to know that we have undertaken an aggressive review of how we brought the product to market so we can better serve all of our customers in the future. Dick Peterson, the Deputy Director of the United States Mint, has also directed that the bureau review all future product offerings to ensure that we apply to them the lessons we learned from the marketing of the American Eagle 25th Anniversary Set.

One of the principal sources of frustration was our web and phone order-taking system. As many of you know, we are in the process of updating our order management system. Our current system is very outdated and we recognize that it does not serve our customers well. Accordingly, we recently selected a contractor that will develop and implement our new system—one that will be modern and comparable to other top-rated retail Web sites. Unfortunately, this transition will take some time; we are anticipating that the new system will be in place by fall 2012.

Our aim is to work earnestly to ensure that the inconvenience and frustration that our regular customers may have encountered last week is mitigated in 2012 as we re-examine our product launch strategies and systems. We value our relationship with you and are committed to serving you professionally and responsively. You deserve no less!

The United States Mint"

Sounds like a lot of regular customers are seriously PO'ed about the way it was offered, and how they were shut out.

 

They send out an e-mail like that every time the site experiences ordering problems. Last time it was the "Coin and Chronicles" set. I didn't see any improvement......