What to grade at CACG?

I'm torn on sending a smaller batch of coins as my first submission to CACG to "test the waters" so to say. Do I try to minimize the pain from their strict grading or just bite the bullet once and send in the best that my 7070 has to offer? I could send in a smaller shipment of 5-6 coins (2 of them are actually one with a split planchet) or I could cherry pick my own type set (and other albums) and send in something like 15-20+ coins all at once.

I'm leaning towards a small batch of decent, easily sellable coins for the first go. I'm considering a bulk submittal because I hate waiting and paying for multiple shipments. I'd love to keep my 7070 untouched but it's housing my best raw coins currently, outside of my Morgan albums, that I might be willing to part with if a high grade coin comes back. I'd turn that money around to upgrade my current slots or fill in blank holes, but that's neither here nor there.

What are your thoughts? Would you send a smaller batch of coins or just get it done all at once and let the cards fall? I really can't decide here, so please let me know your opinions!

 

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Usually, the larger the better but in this case, smaller is better.

 

If you’ve never sent anything to them before I’d start with a few coins before sending a lot of them. Best to test the waters first.

 

I'm not sure if I would send them at all. I've been meaning to get some CT opinions on how well the market accepts yet another TPG. Many collectors prefer to keep their sets with the same TPG's for esthetic reasons. Will those who curated collections accept a new label? Will the new brand be recognized by the masses?

 

Looking like smaller is the way to go for the first shipment. Unfortunately, they do not offer any conservation/restoration services. Just one out of the big bunch would need it, the 1847 braided hair cent. It's got the smallest amount of green stuff on the reverse that I am not willing to try removing by myself.

They offer a "mated pair" label for the split planchet, but not in a single holder. Another bummer!

So I'm thinking on sending the 1904 V nickel with double curved clips, 1929 quarter eagle, Jefferson split planchet, '26-S buffalo, and maybe pulling one from my 7070 to see how it goes. I'll put some pics up later today once I get my laptop open of the ones I just referenced so you can all see and critique them. Let me know if it's a good or bad idea to send those particular ones in once you see them!

Edited to add photos.

 

For the members that may not know, it may be beneficial to you to consider the CACG Crossover Special, available until 25 May, for other TPG encapsulated pieces.

It is no risk really, if it doesn't cross. $10 or $0..., depending on early or Modern.

 

That would be an interesting take. I could send my AU-58 '83-CC Morgan for crossover. It really shocked me when it didn't come back MS, and I believe only 1 person here got it right on a GTG I did a while back. Thanks for the heads up!

 

There we go... just edited the post from earlier to add the pics.

 

YW.
It is what I do. I live for these moments....

 

IMHO. I'm not seeing the need to have any of these coins graded by any TPG.
What I would suggest is conservation starting with a nice long soak in acetone.

 

The V nickel was in for about a week, and the split planchets have been in for a few days. The V nickel is supposedly something nice, judging from the corn ear. Seems like a good left ear is an indicator of a well-struck coin with somewhat good dies. I'll be interchanging them all in their own acetone baths for a little while to see how much crudeI can get off.

Edit:
Also, my scope pictures tend to not show any luster, which the V nickel has hidden underneath that grime.

 

I pray I used soft writing as to not insult you or your coins. I'm just not seeing a good ROI on grading these.
So you did the first step with the acetone. That's the place to start. I have found acetone to not be the end all/cure all of coin conservation. I'm pretty sure you do not see too much or even any difference.
I have been successful with BU Coin Conditioner. One at a time nickels put the coin in a dip basket, place in a small glass bowl. Care pour the cleaner in the bowl to just cover the coin. Count off -3 Mississippi then pull the coin/basket and rinse under hot water. Pat dry a terry cloth towel. Check your results. You can repeat. You can count -six miss. It would take a lot to hurt your circulated nickels' with this dip, especially the '26 S. How ever I don't think you can improve the stripes on the reverse so don't over do it. The V Nick - I doubt you can remove the black freckles, I would stop when the fields clear up.
As far as the 2 1/2 Indian goes I'm confident that a quick in and out of EZest will really help. The quick dip can be repeated, but know when to stop.
Further I recommend finishing on all coins with BU Coin Conserv.

 

Don’t send the 1847 cent as you don’t want to enclose a coin with green stuff on it. If you pull anything out of your 7070 then you need to replace it or live with the hole it creates.

 

@No_Ragrets As for the split planchet, here’s mine do you can decide what’s best for you. It was graded and slabbed by ANACS but I really like the way they did it. The one label references the other label. Having both pieces in separate holders is nice when the slabs are kept together. Take note that mine is a silver War Nickel.

 

You're not hurting any feelings over here, so swing away lol! If I'm going to be dipping anything it certainly won't be these as my practice pieces. I've got plenty of other coins that are cruddy and far less interesting (valuable) to use as sacrifices for that. I'm going to see how they look after a few acetone baths before making any final decisions, but these are relatively recent additions that I'd be ok with selling.

Please add on whatever you might have cut short of saying, if anything, because I don't take it personally. I like honest opinions.

 

I've got a replacement for that one, but it's much lower in quality. That's one that I believe is in need of some TLC in the proper hands. Almost certainly not my hands!

Edit:
That's one of the issues I have with pulling from my type set. There's some really nice pieces in there suitable for grading (and in turn selling off) but I'll end up plugging the holes with lesser grade coins until I get upgrades again. I like my baby-sized collection, but I'm also interested in upgrading them (if I can) through selling some off that grade decently.

 

I am clueless but I have noticed PCGS grades with the CAC bean go for way too much premium. I don't think that's going to fly for very long. CAGC is respected but c'mon. Who died and made them emperor?

 

I am not familiar with the value of the coins shown. It is my understanding that if the coin is not worth at least a few hundred dollars it is not worth slabbing. Sentimental reasons are a different thing.
I would be on the side of sending a small group of coins.
I have also heard that this service is earning a reputation for giving lower rather than higher grades. if the idea is to play the crack out game to gain higher grades that may not be so smart.
I will end by saying i have had very few coins graded by any grading service so weigh my comments appropriately. James

 

Maybe it is just me, but all my coins are raw. I personally don't like encapsulating them.

 

I am not an error coin collector, but my impression, based on 60+ years experience in the hobby, is that "genuine" is more important than the grade. The grade issue might become important with the 1904 Liberty Nickel with the double clip, however. It could get flagged for environmental damage.

I don't think that the Buffalo Nickel is worth sending in at all. It has a lamination, but that is not a huge error from my experience, and once more there might be environmental issues.