I might be going to a show soon, and if the PCGS booth is there, possibly submit some coins. Now I don't 'belong' at this point to their service, and have never submitted with them? What should I expect, and for a first time person, what is the recommended level to join at? Bunch of newbie questions, obviously.
Expect them to take your money, sign you up, help you fill out your submission form and then send you on your way. Expect them to sell you the Diamond Membership which comes with 8 free submission (which must all be submitted at one time), a free counterfeit detection video and an annual subscription to www.pcgscoinfacts.com ($299) I, joined at the platinum level for the 8 free submissions ($199) but had subscribed to PCGS Coinfacts when it was $94 a year. That price is good for the life of the program so it's pointless for me to switch to the Diamond Level. There is also the Gold Level with 4 free submissions ($129) and the Silver Level with no free submissions for $49. All give you access to the Population Reports and Price Guides but truth be told, all you really need to do is open a free PCGS Registry and you have access to Populations and prices for every coin in your set(s). PCGS CoinFacts is pretty cool but unless your a dealer who needs access to current Auction Prices, it can appear fairly expensive (which it is). What you join at is up to you. The best value is the Platinum since for $199 you get $240 worth of free regular submissions which are normally $30 each.
lemme guess, the long beach coin show? I was thinking about doing the same thing as in submitting to PCGS. I just have to see if I can find enough raw seated coins that I like.
Kasia, PCGS is full of friendly folks!... Most of whom I don't know one bit. If the information is available online, check out what services PCGS will be offering at the show you're attending. Sometimes they offer better services at larger shows (such as the LB Coin Expo), or so I've been told. When you say you'll be attending a show in the near future, I sure hope you're refering the Long Beach show! It's a great show. Lots of fun. Lots of dealers. I try to make it as often as I possibly can, which is usually 2 out of the 3 yearly shows. Hope to see you there! :hail: -Brian
Scroll through some of the show reports by The Penny Lady™ She often has a shots of the TPG tables from the big shows. There's one of the PCGS table at FUN in this thread, scroll way down to see. Charmy's 2012 FUN Show Report w/Lots of Pics!!! Also you can check the PCGS web site for their show scedule so you know when you will be at a show the same time they are planning to be there. pcgs.com/Shows
Where is the long beach show? I'm down in OC and if I have the time, might want to drive up. I haven't been to a coin show in a decade, and never one the size of Long Beach.
Yes, it's the Long Beach Show. I actually just asked for Friday off at work to go, and I think I'll get that. It's my birthday soon, so I think I'll be looking to buy a 1956 Franklin Half that's really special (born in 1956 and turning 56 --- only happens once in life!). If I can get one already slabbed, great, if not I can then buy it raw and include it in my group of coins to slab. Hopefully I'll find one that is a super nice MS65. Toned or not, doesn't matter.I went in September, but by the time I had decided to take the plunge at the TPG booth, it was the last day, and an hour past the time they closed it up, so I didn't get the info I needed. If anyone else is going up there on Friday, and you want to say hi, just PM me what you look like and where you'll be in the bourse, and we can meet up. Also, I have a copy of the Winter 2011 California Numismatist, and in it it has a class pic of the Counterfeit Detection Seminar in it from Sept. Unfortunately, that pic was taken while I was still being "lost" in Long Beach, on my way to the seminar (I got to class like an hour late), so I'm not pictured in it. Great Class, though, and if for some reason someone in the class didn't get their copy, they can have the page from mine. Just let me know.
