I am still fairly green when it comes to submitting coins for grading. I have the option of not having "genuine only" coins (i.e. those that were found be cleaned, or other problems) put in a holder; therefore I assume left raw. For those of you with more experience in this, which action would you recommend; a holder for genuine only, or no holder? That "Details" statement almost seems like a scarlet letter, but I could be wrong. Thank you.
You are correct. The "details" grade is a black eye to the current generation of collectors. I have amassed a sizable collection in my years. I am not one that is especially fond of a slabbed coin. However I don't sell my coins so I know that at some point down the road, it will be left to my heirs to liquidate my collection. I inventoried the pieces I felt had a value of $300.00 or more and sent them to be slabbed so my wife & kids who are not collectors could liquidate them more easily. Personally I cannot see any sense in those that slab coins gambling for a certain grade. Nor can I see the value in slabbing a coin that has a value of less than about $200.00. That's just me.
There are absolutely details coins that should be in a holder. Reasons to knowingly submit a details coin for slabbing: The coin is exceptionally rare and problem-free examples are either virtually unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The coin is very valuable, even in a details grade (rare key dates for example). This is especially true if the condition of the coin makes positive identification of the date or mint mark difficult. The coin is of an exceptionally rare variety and the marketability would benefit from having the variety on the label. This is especially true if the condition of the coin makes positive identification of the variety difficult. The coin is from a well known collection or otherwise has a valuable provenance that can be on the label. The coin is frequently faked and having it in a genuine holder greatly increases the marketability (for example trade dollars and classic US gold). I have a few details coins in my collection that fit the above reasons and that I am happy are slabbed. Aside from the above reasons, you generally won't benefit from slabbing a details coin and may hurt the value.
Depends on the coin. If it's a low value coin that is a 'problem coin' then don't submit it. If it is high value then it is a good submission candidate.
I collect mostly 15th-17th-century world coins. The details grade doesn't seem to be a black eye like it would be on a US coin (in most cases). I have sent items in knowing that they will get a details grade just because I want it authenticated for the day when/if I sell it.
Agreed. I have a friend who collects Talers. For those there are both a lot of fakes and restrikes - many of which were nearly contemporary, but are poorly documented.
