Top Pop coin destroyed by the hands of USPS
rva_coins
Posts: 46 ✭✭✭
Yesterday was a sad day.
While in the possession of USPS, my 1949 Franklin Half Dollar PCGS MS66+FBL "Bugs Bunny" coin was crushed so hard that it bent the coin in half. This was very disappointing because I know the seller well and he does the best packaging of PCGS graded coins I have ever seen. This coin was also sent via registered mail which is normally a very secure method of shipping.
Due to USPS's pure negligence, a PCGS Top Pop variety coin was forever removed from the world. The coin was insured and I will be getting a full refund, but at the end of the day, this was a priceless item to me. I will forever despise them for this.
19
Comments
Must have been run over by a forklift or something. Maybe closed in a door accidentally, who knows.
Any other picture angles? How bad is the bend?
Collector, occasional seller
Sorry about that. I assume the box was crushed also? Did you photograph the box or open it in the presence of a postal official?
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Not good. Stuff happens. Let it go.......It's only money.
I actually have to disagree on you statement about it being just money. Coins especially ones like this are pieces of history.
Sorry to hear the coin was harmed!
It looks like the slab is still in one piece.
I wonder if you could try this:
https://www.pcgs.com/ccspecial
@Zoins If I read the OP correctly, the coin was damaged as well; "coin was crushed so hard that it bent the coin in half". So, sure, PCGS will reholder it, with a details description added.
Very unfortunate agreed. I would recommend that our host should adjust the population as well.
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Oh man, that stinks! A great variety of a great series, and not a '55. Very sad, indeed.
Thanks for your comment. I said bent in half when I should have said "bent down the middle". It is maybe a 10 to 15 degree bend. For a second I thought maybe the coin had a chance. Then upon further inspection I noticed it was bent. Must've been hundreds of pounds of force.
The box had to be completely mangled right?
I spent a few grand on some ancients last night & kindly asked the dealer to please don't mail it till after new years despite the tracking notice already sent. I haven't bought coins in two months but these are too nice to pass up.
I have noncoin packages still not having arrived yet and it's been 2 weeks since their last scans.
I don't want my coins to go missing so I have no problems waiting.
This is not just money. There are only 47 of this year in the same grade, out of 5.6 million coins. This may have been the only "Bugs Bunny" variety out of all those coins. It is irreplaceable.
Although this was certainly unfortunate, at least it wasn't something life-saving that was desperately needed by someone. I mean, it's "only" a coin, after all.
On the web: http://www.earlyus.com
Ouch! I feel for you. It must be devastating even if you get your money back. I’m refraining from anything that will ship USPS until January to avoid something like this, too. 99.99% of the time everything goes well but that 0.01% just ruins the day.
When I was at Coin World, we received a #10 envelope folded in half inside a plastic bag to which was attached a note:
"The enclosed mail was run over by an airplane at the Columbus, Ohio airport. The USPS regrets any inconvenience."
I opened it and there was a Bust Dollar in a cardboard Saf-T-Mailr, but fortunately the fold missed the coin.
TD
The box had a small dent in it and I didn't think much of it because I know my friend's shipping methods. He puts a box within a box with many layers of foam for protection. I got to the inside box and saw it was dented as well, but still had faith. Then I saw the inside packaging with the bend.
If it were a lower grade, I would agree it being "only" a coin. But this was a Top Pop coin that I worked hard for to add to my set. Ruined in an instant.
That's the worst kind of suck. Sorry for your great loss.
with those rubber gaskets, the slab could be bent and coin still good. Can you actually see a bend in the coin?
PMD in my opinion
Yes. I had hoped that the slab cracked and the coin remained in tact. The coin has a 10-15 degree bend
I wish I knew how that happened. Had to be a big accident or mishap somewhere.
Me thinks that your coin wasn't the only thing smashed up. Heartbreaking.
Pete
These pics are painful to look at for me. I understand all the "it's only a coin" perspective posts, but.... damn.
So bizarre. Horrible situation all around yuck
That is ridiculous. I wonder how many times that happens that we don't hear about.
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So I guess it wasn't a jet since it didn't get run though the engine!
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Well the coin is truly one of a kind now. Maybe worth more someday with the story, to someone. Keep it in the broken slab.
Yikes, hate to hear that. Shipping is as bad right now as I've ever seen it.
Keep it in your pocket when you buy lottery tickets because that is a one in several million chance of happening.
You should have PCGS reslab that with a special label. Come up with a catchy phrase and post it on all the USPS's social media accounts or whatever. Maybe they will buy it from you for a King's ransom!
Even the most casual kind collectors have heard of the Bugs Bunny Franklin. So sorry about your loss
I see that David Lawrence isn’t shipping anything until next year. I am waiting now for a coin that is late and am concerned.
That's too bad
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Don't worry too much. I have two packages out there that I mailed 12/1. And then literally nothing for two weeks., No scans, nada. And then boom. On the 15th, they both scanned as having moved, albeit only about 25 miles (Cleveland to Akron.) Well one of them finally delivered today, and the other is in the city where it is supposed to deliver.
It can definitely be nerve wracking, but for the most part, they will get there.
Sorry about your 1949 Franklin bugs bunny. It’s difficult to look at. Darn shame.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
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That really sucks. Sorry to hear about it.
ANA-LM, CWTS-LM, NBS, TAMS, ANS
Lame!
That makes Bugs angry
Steve
But did the usps tracking system work for you?
Just in......a security camera caught the inept postal worker.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
With all the "... you should just do this or that with the coin ..." I have a question about USPS insurance payment. Will the USPS pay for the damages and allow you to keep the item that was damaged?
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
I realize you are frustrated and it is a darn shame about the coin, but the ending quote is waaaaaay over the top.
"I will forever despise them for this."
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I hate that.
My YouTube Channel
Yep ..... remember the guru says you don’t get mad AT someone, instead you’re just going a little mad.
Somebody tell @MFeld there’s a new USPS rant thread on the block. Stat!
I feel the pain!
By far the most likely explanation is that an accident happened and there was nothing malicious. I think the employees are way too busy to be plotting slamming random packages with forklifts or something.
And I completely understand the fact the something essentially irreplaceable was lost, but folks here are just trying to cheer you up a bit. "My irreplaceable coin was run over by a train but insurance paid out" is much better than "My irreplaceable spouse was run over by a train".
That's unfortunate about the coin but you gotta keep it in perspective. I don't despise random acts of whatever. I guess this means you're not ever gonna use a shipping service again. That'll fix that wascally wabbit. Peace Roy
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Does anyone remember the SEGS coin labeled something along the lines of "Damaged by the USPS" on the insert?
Really sorry for you, keep the faith you will find another...
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If the box was in decent condition, do you think USPS will reject that notion that this severely damaged coin came out of a package with only "a small dent?"
He who knows he has enough is rich.