Some ideas for PCGS, and my dream of collaboration.

Aspie_Rocco

Edited from a letter once sent to our host.

I am a US coin enthusiast, Variety hunter, and other than raw coins, I exclusively collect Pcgs holdered coins. My registry sets have Aspie Rocco in the title, mostly in Jefferson categories.

I have several ideas that could be beneficial to PCGS and collectors.
Things regarding variety attribution and correction, additional services, preserving original generations of PCGS holders as an alternative to re-holder services.

Members could submit any generation of holder for a few preservation and electronic updates to information and photography. For example a holder buffer service to remove scratches for older holders, true view photos could possibly be done through original plastic, variety correction or attribution information could be assigned electronically for registry purposes associated with the original certification number. This would be great for those of us playing the registry game

I know a few registry competitors who would like such services, including my own self. These services could be charged a fee for in place of reholder services. And you might get the environmentally friendly spin of using less plastic and could even promote such services as a pro environmental initiative.

Another concept is placing a holder around first and second generation holders to preserve them or to update/ add info/pics.
Perhaps a slim case for “rattler” type holders that would allow them to fit traditional blue boxes.

Another concept is applying a sticker or label to the back of the holder to update or modify certification and variety information.

I am very interested in varieties of all US denominations and I have noticed several incorrectly attributed coins in PCGS holders. I realize with the sheer quantity of coins graded mixups can occur.

There is also the issue of coins sent for attribution that do not succeed, yet are in fact a listed variety. This has happened to me on a few submissions and as the costs add up it got me thinking of ways this might be avoided. I don’t have an immediate other idea for a solution to this problem, but I will offer my time and services to your variety assessment team as one method.

More frequent use of the “minor variety” designation could also creat an additional market and submission drive. I cross reference variety vista often to see the many other varieties not traditionally recognized by Pcgs. For variety enthusiasts like myself I would pay up for more variety recognition on labels even if it didn’t count towards an official registry place in a set.

I am not a variety expert compared with many in this business or hobby, but I have an eye for varieties and greatly enjoy analyzing coins to differentiate regular and special or unique attributes. I would love an opportunity to be considered to work part time or intern with or without pay at Pcgs, particularly in the variety attribution department. I live in California and could commute.
Rocco

Roccout

1630Boston

Nice letter @Aspie_Rocco
Keep roccingout

messydesk

@Aspie_Rocco said:
...

Another concept is placing a holder around first and second generation holders to preserve them or to update/ add info/pics.
Perhaps a slim case for “rattler” type holders that would allow them to fit traditional blue boxes.

I was thinking of this just the other day. The "knife edge" generation of holders are simply rattlers with better gaskets and an additional shell. I'll bet people would pay for new shells for rattlers that would make them stacking compatible with current slabs (but without the sharp edges) and fit nicely in current boxes, just like current slabs.

Another concept is applying a sticker or label to the back of the holder to update or modify certification and variety information.

I am very interested in varieties of all US denominations and I have noticed several incorrectly attributed coins in PCGS holders. I realize with the sheer quantity of coins graded mixups can occur.

There is also the issue of coins sent for attribution that do not succeed, yet are in fact a listed variety. This has happened to me on a few submissions and as the costs add up it got me thinking of ways this might be avoided. I don’t have an immediate other idea for a solution to this problem, but I will offer my time and services to your variety assessment team as one method.

More frequent use of the “minor variety” designation could also creat an additional market and submission drive. I cross reference variety vista often to see the many other varieties not traditionally recognized by Pcgs. For variety enthusiasts like myself I would pay up for more variety recognition on labels even if it didn’t count towards an official registry place in a set.

I've been doing exactly this for close to 15 years, but I'm not part of PCGS. I'll do the minor varieties so they don't have to. Most collectors of varieties that are popular and/or worth the big bucks would rather PCGS concentrate on getting those right. The time it would take a PCGS attributor to slog through 1921 Morgans, 1966 Kennedys, or 1960-D RPM cents for the right variety would make it need to be a very expensive service.

bugbit

Great ideas. Esp the slab buffering. Get this man on the payroll!

Aspie_Rocco

@messydesk I realized when posting this the parallels with your services, and I did hesitate, and I do apologize, although this letter was originally sent before I knew what you did. I did not intend to infringe on your business, which I plan to send coins soon, and for many of these same reasons mentioned above (sticker, Pics, holder shine if possible)

I can’t imagine Pcgs getting into all the vams but if they were recognizing some of the more obvious doubled dies and RPMs in other series, which are hit or miss on “minor variety” labels. I have noticed some minor varieties eventually get CPG listings or FS number.

I pick up minor variety labeled coins when I can.

ricko

Interesting ideas... not sure a buffing service would be much cheaper than a quick re-holder service though...especially since it is so easy to do at home. A good business should always be looking at new ideas that fit with their core competency.... Cheers, RickO

Coinstartled

@bugbit said:
Great ideas. Esp the slab buffering. Get this man on the payroll!

I do like that idea.

messydesk

@Aspie_Rocco said:
@messydesk I realized when posting this the parallels with your services, and I did hesitate, and I do apologize, although this letter was originally sent before I knew what you did. I did not intend to infringe on your business, which I plan to send coins soon, and for many of these same reasons mentioned above (sticker, Pics, holder shine if possible)

Not a problem, and no apology necessary. I see what I do as picking up where the TPGs leave off and don't want to go, except for ANACS.

I can’t imagine Pcgs getting into all the vams but if they were recognizing some of the more obvious doubled dies and RPMs in other series, which are hit or miss on “minor variety” labels. I have noticed some minor varieties eventually get CPG listings or FS number.

The ones that eventually get FS numbers get picked up by PCGS and NGC when they do get FS numbers. NGC complicates matters a bit by assigning their own catalog numbers to those not quite so minor varieties that haven't found their way to the CPG yet.

I pick up minor variety labeled coins when I can.

Buy what you like!

Zoins

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Members could submit any generation of holder for a few preservation and electronic updates to information and photography. [...] true view photos could possibly be done through original plastic

They already do this one. There are a few posts here covering this. An example is in the TrueView Generations & Types thread:

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/993302/pcgs-trueview-generations-and-types#latest

oih82w8

Good suggestions for potential expansion services. I really wish that the old solid gaskets would come back into favor, or at least "re-use" the ones that are in the older holders that are sent in for re-holdering. And the older generation labels could be re-used as well.