When did PCGS change the size of the 5oz ATB quarters?

Longarm

Okay, so I haven't kept up on all the happenings at PCGS, but I just bought a Tx. puck off ebay and the holder is smaller. When did that happen? Can you still get the bigger holder?

winesteven

1. 2018 was the last year of the “longer, slightly narrower” holder. 2019 and 2020 uses the shorter, slightly wider holder, at least for the “Bullion MS” version (I don’t know about the holder for the “Collector” SP version). Why the change in shape? Beats me.
2. There is no choice in holder shape when you submit a raw 5 oz. silver puck. You’ll get the newer shaped holder. I suspect if you submit a pre-2018 raw 5 oz coin, you’ll get the newer shape, but I cannot say that with certainty.
3. I believe there’s a financial relationship between Mercanti and Modern Coin Mart. To get one with a Mercanti “signed” label, you must get one that is sold (or was originally sold) by MCM. They typically charge about an extra $20 for the Mercanti label.
4. For some reason unknown to me, over the past year or so it’s been quite difficult getting availability to the newer 5 oz bullion MS version graded by PCGS. Obviously, the demand for these that are graded has dropped over the years, so the number of these submitted to PCGS for grading by the major suppliers is FAR fewer than in the prior years. One factor could be that again, for some unknown reason, starting in 2019 apparently it became a lot more difficult than in prior years getting the DMPL designation on these from PCGS. Maybe they tightened their standards, maybe the mint production quality dropped, I don’t know. But reduced collector demand combined with higher submitter costs by having to submit many more coins to try to get that DMPL designation results in the current supply difficulty.

derryb

Didn't believe the thread title but after looking at the pics PCGS did change the size of the ATB!

Longarm

Been trying to get through to customer service but no go, I'd also like to find out how to get the Mercanti label.

winesteven

@Longarm said:
Been trying to get through to customer service but no go, I'd also like to find out how to get the Mercanti label.

See #3 in my answer above. You cannot get it directly from PCGS.

Zoins

@Longarm said:
Okay, so I haven't kept up on all the happenings at PCGS, but I just bought a Tx. puck off ebay and the holder is smaller. When did that happen? Can you still get the bigger holder?

More discussion here:

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1040100/for-larger-medals-has-pcgs-changed-holders-permanently#latest