Do You Submit Your Coins To Be Graded?

Dave,
Thanks for the commiseration, I actually have seen that article on the PCGS site before as I searched for some better explanation of their cryptic remarks. The fact that article was written in April of 2000 speaks volumes to me. It says PCGS is kind of stuck in its rut with no reason to improve their service or even update their website.

I still believe the company could easily give even a one line explanation for grades and no grades and substantially increase the value of their service, at virtually no cost and no effort. The only reason I can fathom that they DON'T provide any guidance is perhaps they're doing the old "CYA" and figure the less specificity the less the chance of being held more accountable.

I probably have a thousand ungraded coins. I don't really care about grades. Information about the coins that educated me would however be something that I would value highly. If a coin came back body bagged with a note saying "Sorry, think someone filed off the mint mark on this one" I wouldn't be angry at PCGS, I might be angry at myself and the person I obtained the coin from but PCGS would have provided a real service.

I did note that PCGS was quick to tell me - 3 days after my coins were returned - that it now offers to certify coins as "genuine" if they don't meet the firm's apparently secretive grading standards. As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you...fool me twice....

Why risk spending more money on rejected coins when everyone involved knows if they were not genuine PCGS could have informed the client of that the first time around and in my mind should have with all possible clarity.

If I find a coin I truly believe might grade super special such as the one you got body bagged on that could be worth a fortune, "maybe" I'd consider sending it to PCGS...but I would take it to multiple coin experts in person first...and if I'm going to that effort and the coin turns out to be highly regarded seemingly I would have enough "proof" to satisfy any potential buyer....So what good is PCGS again?

I check them myself and get 70s graded. Keeps the coin away from harmful gases that could tone it.

Look, if you have crap coins with tooling, environmental damage, PVC or whatever, it is not PCGS's fault for telling you the coins are crap. You got what you paid for, a professional opinion (and the plastic if you bothered to learn about your coins)

Join NGC, they send you a booklet all about NO GRADES and it has images and explanations about certain doctoring methods. For example whizzing can be spotted when the frost runs over into the field. That is obviously very un natural and wouldn't happen at the mint but it happens when you use a rotating wire brush to fake the appearance of frosty design.

I have yet to send any coins anywhere, but may if I decide to sell any of my key date coins. I really don't see much benefit except that ebay sales will usually bring a better price. I will likely use NGC since their location is close enough to drop off and pick up the coins and save on postage and insurance.

I send in the ones that I think I can add to my registry sets. I dont always make the grades I want, but it sure is fun trying!

Only specific coins I deem are worth at least $150 and have a specific reason for being slabbed. Otherwise, I keep raw.

After reading all the posts ... I'm a little reluctant to use my 'Christmas gift' PCGS membership !

I asked for the gift because I have always thought that PCGS would be the most discriminate grader of my coins. Ironically, I buy only NGC Eagles ...

I have a 1988W Proof ASE that HAS to be a PR70, and a 1983 Washington error quarter with at least ~19% offset. I'm going to send them in ... so wish me luck. I agree that only high-value, high-grade, rare, and/or more sought after coins should be graded. Otherwise, UNC and lower grades can be well kept/collected/protected in any folder or album collection.

Only to authenticate a coin that has shown a frequency of fakes and to establish a trusted TPG grade (PCGS or NGC). Not done for me but on coins of higher value when I intend to sell it. If I am keeping it for the collection, why bother.

Jim