Coins Disappeared On The Way To PCGS

I had one bad experience with small priority boxes a couple years ago. Bought over 20 rolls of pennies from a seller, had a great time bidding, it took hours just to watch and bid on all the auctions. Seller shipped all the rolls in a small priority box with no tape on the sides. All the rolls fell out one side during transit (I doubt it was tampered with, just the weight of it popped the side open), and I was actually home when the mail carrier delivered the empty box. Went outside to get the mail 5 minutes later and had a fit. You would think he would have seen it was damaged/opened, or anyone at the post office/sorting facilities to mark it as damaged/undeliverable. But the package was marked delivered. It was over $200. I contacted the seller and mentioned the lack of tape as nicely as possible and they actually agreed to send 20 more rolls. I was thrilled because I thought I was out of luck at that point, but still feel really bad for the seller to this day. He taped the heck outta the next one!

Best of luck to you.

Losing you coins in the mail is one of the overlooked risks and costs associated with slabbing and crossovers from grading service to another.

Have I heard about this before? Yes. It was said that one of the reasons why NGC moved out of New Jersey and into Florida was that they were having too much trouble with coins disappearing at the New Jersey post offices.

Messydesk did an experiment a while ago to see if he could pull stuff out of small FR priority boxes from the untaped edges. He could without leaving a trace it was tampered with I believe

I tape everywhere pieces have been connected on boxes AND envelopes for just the reason

This is scary stuff. Your story has kindled anxiety about mailing and receiving valuable coins. I shared a story in a different thread about an insured package that was delivered (with signature) to the suite next door to mine. The entire "heavy" package went missing for days until I went to every suite in our complex. The package magically appeared in our suite after my staff and I continued to pester all of the neighboring suites. The contents were around $700 value in silver quarters and dollars. I think the weight of the package peaked someones curiosity. The receptionist next door that signed for it said it was a very "heavy" package.

Answers to some of your questions.

What did I mail it in:

I mailed it in a 6" x 10" bubble wrap lined envelope, with the PCGS submission form wrapped around the four coins (all of which were holdered). PCGS also sent me pictures of the package, which had no obvious damage, though they had already cut it open at that point.

What was in the package:

81882334  1857    50C            PCGS MS61
83521552  1864    50C            PCGS XF45
09204397  1877-S  50C            PCGS AU58
83069786  1856    G$1 Slanted 5  PCGS MS63

And an update:

I went to the post office (on Friday) and the envelope weighed far less than 6.3oz, which confirms that I did not forget to put the coins in the package (alas). I filed a claim with USPS shortly thereafter--I'll let you guys know how it goes!

I also asked PCGS to retain the envelope and any video evidence they have, but haven't heard back. I assume they are out for the holiday weekend. They did send me the images mentioned above and have been very helpful thus far.


Edit: fixed typos + added that I asked PCGS for the video

@basicbob101: in addition to the address, if you buy insurance for your package they slap a big blue sticker on it that says "insured". We still don't actually know that there was foul play involved here though, perhaps there is an innocent explanation.