Hi! Soon, I'll be sending a valuable coin off to Heritage for one of their auctions. For such a coin (a couple of grand in value), what advice can you give me regarding shipping? I know to post it as a "box within a box", but is there a better/preferred carrier to send it by, and what coverage do I put -- without letting those en-route know what's inside? This would be my first time mailing a coin for consignment, so am looking for any advice you can give me. Thanks in advance!
Well if it were me, I wouldn't use UPS as they seem have to see exactly what's inside before the package is closed up and sealed. As far as coverage, I would insure it for the value it has. If it's lost in transit and never arrives, at least you can be compensated for that. Would be hard to insure it for the potential value it could realize at auction.
Absolutely, U.S. Postal Service REGISTERED. NOT Certified or any other service. Certainly NOT UPS or FedEx (due to insurance issues). USPS Registered is the safest bet by far. Seal with water activated paper tape, box in a box. Use a permanent marker to label the package (instead of using stick-on labels, which can come off or be 'replaced' with another label). Write the "To" address in large block letters across the seams of the paper tape. Don't use a tiny box (larger boxes are less likely to 'walk off'). Stay at the Post Office window while the employee uses the inked 'postmark' stamp over the seams of the paper tape. I've sent coins to PCGS, NGC and CAC many times using these guidelines, and have never had anything go missing (knock on wood). Still, I always photograph the coin (obverse and reverse) for documentation in case of a claim. Be aware that Registered Mail gives you tracking at origin and delivery destination, but NOT necessarily in-between. Registered mail is SLOW, since postal employees must SIGN FOR and BE RESPONSIBLE FOR the package at every step of the way.
