Can I get a show of hands on those that consign directly with PCGS for grading or those that utilise the PCGS service via a third party?
I may start getting some coins graded via PCGS, but uncertain about whether the to deal direct with PCGS or through a third party?
I'm only likely to do a few coins until things get up and running.
By the way, are there often costs associated going through third parties?
Appreciate the advice.
Quote from: 'coxspau' pid='65345' dateline='1421311678'Can I get a show of hands on those that consign directly with PCGS for grading or those that utilise the PCGS service via a third party?
I may start getting some coins graded via PCGS, but uncertain about whether the to deal direct with PCGS or through a third party?
I'm only likely to do a few coins until things get up and running.
By the way, are there often costs associated going through third parties?
Appreciate the advice.
If you are only going to get a handfull done third party is probebly the most cost efficant way
Quote from: 'coxspau' pid='65345' dateline='1421311678'Can I get a show of hands on those that consign directly with PCGS for grading or those that utilise the PCGS service via a third party?
I may start getting some coins graded via PCGS, but uncertain about whether the to deal direct with PCGS or through a third party?
I'm only likely to do a few coins until things get up and running.
By the way, are there often costs associated going through third parties?
Appreciate the advice.
Hi Coxspau, You have 2 choices.. if you have high value coin (ie Proofs, early date Florins etc) and have 8 or so coins, you can get a PCGS membership ( you get 8 free submissions with the membership) and send it directly for grading. You should factor in about $150 USD for shopping. Option 2 is to send it via Walter(Numisbid) or Eric (Drake Sterling) ... I have done both, if it is only 2-5 coins do option 2 as it is more cost effective....
I consign via Eric because I usually have only a small number of coins (sometimes only one). It is a little more expensive but suits me. Never had any problems and Eric always helpful.
My last and only consignment was through Walter, a total of nine coins. He knows what he is doing, and what has to be done. I don't.
PCGS Platinum is 249 USD (8 free* submissions included) and the charge for the postage back to Australia is 66.45 USD (up to 10 coins).So that is 315.45 USD (about $400 Aussie) and that doesn't include the cost of sending them to California.
That is over $50/coin and if you send less than 8 coins your costs go up. The max value of each coin cannot be more than 3,000 USD (so great for '23 halfs but no way for 1930 pennies).
*Nothing in life is free.
I usually send 20-30 coins in a batch and have only used Eric because of the convenience
factor and have had no problems at all.He is very helpful and I would recommend his services
My recommendation would be either through Eric or Walter for PCGS submissions. Would anyone know of a dealer with NGC submission privileges?
Remember that using a 3rd party may seem more expensive but you have to factor in the insurance cost of your coins when sent. Dealers often hold insurance policies from brokers that cover their packages in general so they get a massive price break compared to what we pay through Australia post and their policies are easier to claim against should something go wrong. If you have a trusted dealer nearby then it may be more cost effective using them
Quote from: 'oh my florin' pid='65359' dateline='1421320068'My recommendation would be either through Eric or Walter for PCGS submissions. Would anyone know of a dealer with NGC submission privileges?
Perhaps Mark at Strand Coins in Sydney? They slabbed the Benchmark Collection so if there are any NGC affiliated dealers it would be them.
Quote from: 'oh my florin' pid='65359' dateline='1421320068'My recommendation would be either through Eric or Walter for PCGS submissions. Would anyone know of a dealer with NGC submission privileges?
Try these guys... I have bought some coins from them, good to deal with etc...
86. Numis
P.O Box 302
Moonah, 7009
Australia
Phone: +61 416 2268 44
Email: numismail@yahoo.com.au
Hours: All Hours
Services: Appraisals, Auctions, Collector Sales, Wholesale-to-the-Trade
Specialties: Error Coins, Gold Coins, US Coins, World Coins
Memberships: ANA
Thanks neal and aus. I will check them out and see what they can do.
Thanks for all the advice.
I have yet to determine which coins I'd like to get graded/slabbed. At the moment, I'm not sure that I have much that would qualify or warrant the additional expense.
While this may not be appropriate for the title of this thread, but how do others determine what coins they want graded/slabbed? Is it personal preference, minimum coin value, investment decision, all of the above?
Appreciate the further guidance.
I had seven 2000 Mules slabbed as they are the top $1 error coin at present. I still have 15 more to be slabbed.
I did it for the sole reason one can handle the coin without leaving finger prints etc on the coins surface. Finger prints etc can be removed from the plastic case quite easily.
Further, it is easier to handle the slab rather than the coin.
I would only slab a coin if the coin is a high value coin. If a coin is worth $40, I don't see the value in spending $40 to slab the coin.
Also, when you send a coin to PCGS through myself (Eric from Drake Sterling), I do look at the coin and provide you with feedback on whether the coin will grade up or not. If a coin is clearly a body bag for one reason or another, I'll save you the expense of learning the hard way with PCGS. If I save you sending only one coin per submission, that's a $40 - $60 saving right there.
Quote from: 'drakesterling' pid='65459' dateline='1421481870'Also, when you send a coin to PCGS through myself (Eric from Drake Sterling), I do look at the coin and provide you with feedback on whether the coin will grade up or not. If a coin is clearly a body bag for one reason or another, I'll save you the expense of learning the hard way with PCGS. If I save you sending only one coin per submission, that's a $40 - $60 saving right there.
Do you charge extra for that service ? Ie:- to let people know if a coins will be body bagged (cleaned, altered surface etc ) ?
Appreciate all the advice.
If I understand correctly, then there appear to be two things to consider:
- The outright value of the coin
- The grade of the coin
I have some coins, mainly gold, which I'm considering slabbing. They are from various countries. IMHO, the grades are reasonable and the purchase value is worth the PCGS grading and slabbing.
Does the slabbing process retard potential verdigris on copper coins?
Quote from: 'ausproofs' pid='65461' dateline='1421484238'Quote from: 'drakesterling' pid='65459' dateline='1421481870'Also, when you send a coin to PCGS through myself (Eric from Drake Sterling), I do look at the coin and provide you with feedback on whether the coin will grade up or not. If a coin is clearly a body bag for one reason or another, I'll save you the expense of learning the hard way with PCGS. If I save you sending only one coin per submission, that's a $40 - $60 saving right there.
Do you charge extra for that service ? Ie:- to let people know if a coins will be body bagged (cleaned, altered surface etc ) ?
There is no extra charge.
Quote from: 'coxspau' pid='65464' dateline='1421486369'Does the slabbing process retard potential verdigris on copper coins?
No, it's not unusual to find verdigris on a slabbed coin. It's all about how a coin has been stored and handled during it's life time. I know little about the technicalities, but apparently acetic acid is the prime reason for this green plague on coins, particularly coins that have been handled. Acetic acid occurs naturally on human skin, so it follows we need to be careful how we handle collectible coins.
Olive oil is a natural enemy of acetic acid, and soaking a handled coin in this oil is a way of neutralising any verdigris, provided the verdigris is still soft and has not developed a hard crusty surface. In the latter case the disease will have already eaten into the metal, so even if the verdigris was removed a nice shiny indent will be evident.
I've treated many circulated copper coins in this way with very good success, but wouldn't recommend this treatment on a high grade lustrous coin, not sure how the luster would be affected by the olive oil.