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 Replies: 9 / Views: 5,827 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4870 Posts |
So I got a couple of coins today mailed in a regular envelope, which is fine. However it is concerning that nowhere on the envelopes is there a non-machinable stamp. How much damage could mail sorters cause? Is this even a good way to mail coins?
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Valued Member
United States
72 Posts |
I'd think the biggest risk would be that the sorter tears the envelope and out goes the coins....
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I made an early on mistake of mailing a regular envelope (thick with cardboard) and only a first class stamp. The buyer received the coin in a plastic bag, along with a hundred pieces of the shredded envelope. The coin was destroyed. I refunded his $ and he was very upset.
Now, I use a NON-MACHINABLE stamp on a regular envelope with .64 postage (under 1 oz.)
Or, a 000 bubble for more expensive coins.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
No matter what I send, I always use a bubble mailer.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
You can send coins via First Class Mail but it must be done properly. The standard 44 cent rate receives auto-sorting and cancellation, this can damage the coin and rip an envelope with a rigid object. According to USPS regulations, rigid objects render an envelope non-machinable and are subject to a 20 cent surcharge. I use a corrugated coin mailer to protect the coin, mark the envelope "NONMACHINABLE" or "DO NOT BEND" and add a 64 cent stamp for 1oz or less. I have never had a single loss out of a couple hundred coins mailed this way. |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Me either since then ;)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
Quote:
use a corrugated coin mailer to protect the coin, mark the envelope "NONMACHINABLE" or "DO NOT BEND" and add a 64 cent stamp for 1oz or less Do they ask you what's in there? I'm leery of telling anyone I'm mailing a coin... |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Nope. Just drop it in the mail box. No need for a clerk to see it.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Postal clerks never see my packages, I have a blue box 20 feet from my front door  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1666 Posts |
Jack: You are not obligated to tell them exactly what is in the envelope, as long as it's not perishable or hazardous material.
When asked, or when filling out international shipping forms, I always just put "collectible item" or something similar.
As far as mailing, bubble mailer and the coins protected with an additional piece of bubble wrap inside.
This may seem like being over protective, but keep in mind the positive effect on buyer confidence. =)
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Replies: 9 / Views: 5,827 |
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Posted 09/19/2011 6:09 pm
