Hi Folks, I have a 1993-P Silver Eagle proof for which I have lost the COA. So, I thought I would submit this for certification to PCGS, mostly for the experience of submitting a coin (which I have never done) and also to make the coin more marketable if I ever choose to sell it (make up for the lack of a COA). So, I went to the PCGS web site and looked at the Collectors Club, but I had many questions. So, anyone who has experience submitting coins to PCGS, maybe you can help me. Looking at the fee, I am really confused. Let's say I become a "Gold" member, what "service" am I using? Is the $30 "Regular" service the standard service? What is the purpose of the Maximum Value/Coin column? Let's say I hit the jackpot and this coin comes back PR70 (yeah, right!!). Then the coin value (according to the PCGS price list) would be greater then the max coin value. What am I not understanding? How does PCGS charge for shipping back to you? Is this added to a bill or invoice? Do you pay immediently when you submit via the web? And lastly, (though this is not really a PCGS question), what do Proof Eagles typically grade at? Anyway, thanks for my newbie questions. - Hal
PCGS has a online submission form. For coins 1965 to present, the least expensive service is Silver service at $16 per coin which is taking around 60 to 70 days. Regarding S&H which is on the submission form too, it will cost you at least $13.50 to have the coins shipped backed to you. The more valuable the coins, the more expensive S&H will be coming back to you. I am a silver member and pretty much have only submitted modern coins in hopes for that MS68 grade or PR69DCAM or better. I have never received a PR70DCAM grade nor do I believe I can get one...unless I send them hundreds and hundreds of coins at a time whereby one may strike "gold". Coins before 1965 will cost you $30. You have to ask yourself is it worth it? It is pretty steep, especially if a coin is sent back body-bagged (not graded, but still charged). I almost forgot...you need to submit 5 coins minimum for all types of submission. As for proof Eagles (which I think are some of the most beautiful obverses around), those coming right from the mint to you to PCGS should grade around PR67DCAM to PR69DCAM. You have to be careful and handle them with extreme care! Even if you accidentially breathe on these coins, you can screw up your grade so be careful with proofs and all high grade coins. (I hold my breath as the coin is packaged). You are right, and it also has been stated in the forum many times before, PR70DCAM is almost unheard of and many old time collectors believe it is totally impossible. Some believe the reason that PCGS and NGC have been a little more "liberal" on PR70 grades (recent years) is because other grading companies have come out with such grades whereby the public clamours these. 70 is perfect and many believe you can't have a perfect coin unless it is made under "surgical" conditions. Matter of fact, some sellers (especially on ebay) have bastardized this 70 grade altogether as some of these so-called-grading companies sell nothing BUT MS70 or PR70 grades. The market demands a 70 coin, but think about it...no hairlines, no ticks, no nothing at all on the coin under the scope...it is very hard to acheive. As for the COA, PCGS doesn't care about this COA because they will look and grade the coin first and foremost. The COA is from the US Mint to make their buyers feel more comfortable with their purchase (marketing). 1993 Silver Eagle Proofs are a tough coin. Only 403,625 were minted and the recent November, 2004 "Coin Prices" has this coin at $210. My personal rule is that I don't slab anything worth less than $200 and you're right at my cusp. See what PCGS slabs are selling for on ebay for this year and remember, you have to send it 5 coins minimum! Good Luck!
Thanks Ed for that great info. Yeah, I have seen those sellers on Ebay who have nothing but perfect coins.
Hi Ed - How do you store your proof sets if you keep them in the original mint packaging? I was just wondering if you do anything special to keep the US Mint packaging in mint condition. Do you wrap the box in anything to store coins? Today it seems the box that contains the proof set is almost as valuable as the coins if you ever decide to sell the set. Do you by chance store them in Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers? I have heard this is used, but is it ok for long term storage. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jim
Greetings Rugen... I keep all of my coins in my safe under low humidity, room temperature conditions. In the safe, I use Silica Gel Crystal packets to help absorb excess mositure that may be in the safe. These are the same type of packets you see in new luggage or brief cases that look like sugar packets. You know these, they state "Do Not Eat" (to keep the trial lawyers at bay) or "Throw Away". Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers are, in my opinion, okay IF you have some type of moisture absorbing agent (like these packets) stored with your coins. Don't forget to burp the tupperware either. The less moisture, the less air, the better. I am a big fan of the Intercept Shield for protecting many of my raw coins. From all I read and researched, I find that nothing protects coins from most of the environmental factors than this technology. Only ICG offers this for their slab protection and I can't believe that PCGS or NGC didn't jump on this when it came out. Think about it...shouldn't a slabbing company not only offer a professional, 3rd party grade, but shouldn't their slab that is sonically sealed offer at least something in it to protect coins from toning and other factors? Sonically sealed slabs do alot, but there is still more that can be done and sonically sealing a slab WITH the Intercept Shield is the best protection for your coins. They even sell Intercept Shield lined boxes, so check them out. Sorry, I got carried away... Again, moisture-free and room temperatures are the key factors for protecting your coins. The rest will definitely help, but you have to start with the first two. Hope this helps...
Well if that was the case, that was a smart business move by ICG to invest in this exclusive product. Think about it, if you have something nobody else has, that's a feather in their cap. We hear about "sonically-sealed" inert materials, etc., as one of the main reasons why coins get slabbed. Sure we want a fair, 3rd party professional opinion on the grade, but we also want a device to hopefully keep the coin in the same condition and grade as time passes on. Necessity does breed innovation. In my experience, I would rather lead than tell my cleints..."we can to that TOO" or worst yet, "We can't do it!"
No argument from me pal - I've always been a huge fan of I/S technology. But NGC may have an alternate solution - their new slab is only one which is actually air tight. None of the others are.
