| Author |
 Replies: 29 / Views: 3,078 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1255 Posts |
A metal detecting find today and one that I do not intend on conserving myself. I'm giving a quick soak in distilled water and details look strong so far, I plan on sending it in for grading. Does PCGS do restoration/conserving on ground find coins? I know I've asked this before and nobody really knew but maybe different eyes are on this thread.   |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21645 Posts |
My opinion, for what it is worth:-
The lower grade and thus potential lower value after restoration/conservation
is insufficient to justify the fees that PCGS may charge irrespective of the fact that it is a ground find.
In this case, I think the OP is right; there is no intention to conserve or restore this particular coin.
Perhaps a better way to go would be to replace, and upgrade to a higher condition Type 2 SLQ instead, unless of course,
the OP happens to be a metal detectorist, in which case, the coin is best left 'as is', anyway.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1014 Posts |
Actually the head looks very promising. I wouldn't be soaking this in water for very long, and please don't wipe /rub it in any way.
I would try soaking it in pure acetone for a few days.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4397 Posts |
PCGS does do ground find restoration, but PCGS picks and chooses what coins they want and can improve through restoration. You do the math on PCGS restoration and grading fees vs coin value. The example is going to grade details from environmental damage or scratches on reverse. I like the suggestion to soak it in acetone.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
94367 Posts |
So if they agree to conserve it, I assume they give you at least a ballpark figure upfront?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4397 Posts |
Below are PCGS restoration policy and fees:
General Submissions: Fees for this service are a combination of a base grading fee and a restoration fee.
The Grading Fee is based on the declared value of the coin.
The Restoration Fee is a 3% guarantee premium (min. $10) based on the value of the coin in its final grade after restoration. PCGS will determine all fees once the order is finalized.
$10 Evaluation Fee - If PCGS determines the coin(s) will not benefit from restoration or should not be restored, the coin(s) will still be submitted for grading. Coins that are not restorable will be charged an evaluation fee of $10 per coin and then sent for grading. For coins that complete the grading process, standard grading fees apply plus the evaluation fee (see submission form for grading fee structure).
Final cost of the submission cannot be determined until coins have completed the restoration and grading process; consequently, the submission form costs will be estimated before the Guarantee Premium would be applied.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1255 Posts |
Quote:
The example is going to grade details from environmental damage or scratches on reverse. Slider, maybe ED but the scratches were an illusion, they are gone post distilled water soak. I put worthy coins in mylar out in the field and guessing that a bit of debris removed some surface buildup. Hopefully no micros left on surface. Details are starting to pop a bit but iffy on full helmet. In Acetone now. If I guess XF or better post Acetone, I'll likely send in for grading/restoration. Anything less I'll conserve myself and capsule.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
It will be interesting to see how PCGS values it for their 3% if it comes back Details, or if they'll do it at all (probably worth $10 to find out). I'm not sure if ANACS would touch it - they say "Environmental damage, such as active corrosion, typically cannot be conserved", but their service is conservation not restoration (not sure what the difference is). PCGS doesn't seem to say anything about environmental damage. https://www.pcgs.com/restoration |
|
Valued Member
United States
413 Posts |
Not worth the fees for a details grade in my opinion. Even if it grades straight after conservation, the fees would exceed the value. For a dirt find I congratulate you on this find. Nice coin that has been around for over a century.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1255 Posts |
Quote:
the fees would exceed the value Not even remotely accurate, XF to AU closed auction slabs are $600 to $1000. We are talking about $75 to get this restored/graded/slabbed - whether a straight grade or details do some math.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Still a bit confused. So you're saying that, if the coin miraculously restores to a straight grade valued at $600, the restoration fee would only be $18? Is that right?  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1255 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1255 Posts |
Quote:
It will be interesting to see how PCGS values it for their 3% if it comes back Details kbbpll - exactly. Be a good piece of data to have in hand although any details discount would most assuredly be skewed in their favor. Meaningless on a $500 coin, significant for sure in other scenarios.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1255 Posts |
Took it out of Acetone for some updated pics, might only soak for a few more hours then pack it up for PCGS. Ignoring straight vs. details, I think this is XF so I'm willing to take the risk. I do not believe they will have issue with restoring this coin. Just by comparison, I find some details on this piece (like the breast plate) to be more pronounced than 50-level grades on https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin.../images/5730There is a good deal of MD on the reverse which may knock me down a bit.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
Amazing difference already. I was sure the dark brown blotches in your first images would be serious corrosion damage, but they hardly show up now. The area on Liberty's leg looks fairly severe though. By MD you mean the doubling on the reverse? That shouldn't affect the grade,
|
| |
Replies: 29 / Views: 3,078 |
Posted 09/03/2023 10:15 pm
