Minor Slab Issue - What Would You Do? *Update*

asheland

So, my latest coin back from PCGS is this special issue Sovereign. An expensive coin that has good potential to be very valuable in the future.

They seem to average around $2,000 and currently it is not available anywhere online that I’m aware of.

This is currently my favorite Sovereign and I’m thrilled to own it. It also made a 70 as well.

Here’s the issue/ question, I’m very particular about the slab being perfect in condition and everything to be accurate.

Apparently when it shipped out, the chip wasn’t programmed. The cert number is correct and the true view is excellent in my opinion.

When scanning the slab with the camera, it brings everything up just fine, or of course entering the cert number it also works fine.

However when holding my phone next to the slab, it opens the app, so the NFC chip is live, but it says “invalid cert number” so apparently it didn’t get programmed…

So here’s the question, it appears that PCGS will fix it for me, and send a shipping label, so no cost to me, but, I have to send it back out to be programmed.

I REALLY don’t want to mail this coin back out! currently it’s not replaceable. The few that were on eBay have all sold, plus, it made a 70 and another one isn’t guaranteed to be a 70…

Sorry for such a long winded post, basically the question is, would you just leave it be and accept it as is? Or would you send it out risking loss or damage just to have one where the chip works…?

Cladiator

Send it back to be programmed

Can you hand it to PCGS at a show where they are attending? That would save you 1 of the 2 trips the coin wold have to take.

humanssuck

If you're that worried about shipping it, take it with you to a show that PCGS is at and doing show grading and ask them to fix it. They should be able to do it at the show.

Mr_Spud

Leave it as-is and accept the chip doesn’t work

I’d leave it as is, but if I ever wanted to sell it and I was worried that buyers would think something was wrong with it, I’d consider hand delivering it to PCGS at a show for them to fix it. That way there is less risk of it getting lost in the mail (50% less risk because only will be shipped back to you rather than you shipping to them and they ship back to you).

Maybe even have them fix it as a walkthrough at the show, somehow they are able to slab them and give them back the same day, or so I hear, so they may have a way to program the chip at the show.

Manifest_Destiny

Leave it as-is and accept the chip doesn’t work

Too much technology for me. I'd leave it as is.

PerryHall

Send it back to be programmed

If you can't take it to a major coin show for PCGS to fix it, send it back but make sure it's heavily insured. It sounds like this malfunctioning chip is bothering you so get it fixed for your own piece of mind.

djm

Send it back to be programmed

If/when you sell the coin the buyer will have a problem with the chip not working.

Dave99B

Leave it as-is and accept the chip doesn’t work

Cool coin.
Wouldn’t both me at all.

Dave

gumby1234

@asheland I just took a quick look around.

gumby1234

asheland

@gumby1234 said:

That’s the bullion version and I just got one in todays mail. Yes, I’m slabbing it as well.

This one however is matte finish and plain edge, 1260 mintage, all were struck on the day of coronation (May 6th 2023)

asheland

Thanks everybody for your replies. 👍

Walkerfan

Leave it as-is and accept the chip doesn’t work

I would leave it alone. It’s a minor issue. Not worth the time and effort and risk of sending it back, IMHO.

davewesen

don't you have one of those very rare PCGS 'mechanical errors' increasing its value?

291fifth

Send it back to be programmed

The current market is very slab oriented and they want the slabs to be perfect. If the slab isn't perfect potential buyers will likely want a discount.

Send it back and have them correct the error.

pcgscacgold

Send it back to be programmed

If dropping it off at a show is not possible, send it back.

BillJones

I need to be educated about this chip business and how it works.

I signed up for the PCGS barcode ap, but don't know about this.

lilolme

@BillJones said:
I need to be educated about this chip business and how it works.

I signed up for the PCGS barcode ap, but don't know about this.

.
Here ia a link to pcgs announcement of the the NFC (chip). It gives some information on it.

On your phone it will need to have an NFC reader (newer phones mostly do) and the NFC will need to be turned on.
On my samsung to turn it on, it is under Settings and then Connections and then the 'NFC and Contactless Payment' make sure it is turned on.

Bring the phone close to a pcgs slab (label) with the NFC chip and it should read it and then bring up the cert page the same as scanning a bar code. Depending on where the NFC reader is on your phone (top, middle or bottom) can help to read the NFC if you hold that part of the phone close to the slab label or NFC. (don't know then move it back and forth)

On the pcgs cert app that you mentioned it is the Scan NFC next to the Scan Barcode. But on my phone I don't have to use the app to read the NFC.

Only the newer pcgs slabs with the noted symbol in the link have the NFC in them. (also a symbol in the lower left corner of the front of the slab plastic).

https://www.pcgs.com/news/groundbreaking-nfc-technology-included-in-all-holders

asheland

Day by day, I’m feeling less and less bothered by this particular issue.
I’m leaning strongly towards just letting it be.

UpGrayedd

I can't tell you what you should do, but as a buyer if I ever purchased a coin with a chip that didn't work I would be very suspicious of the coins authenticity. The coin will eventually be sold either by you or your heirs. If it were me, I would make sure the chip is activated and/or re-holdered in order to avoid headaches down the road.

asheland

@UpGrayedd said:
I can't tell you what you should do, but as a buyer if I ever purchased a coin with a chip that didn't work I would be very suspicious of the coins authenticity. The coin will eventually be sold either by you or your heirs. If it were me, I would make sure the chip is activated and/or re-holdered in order to avoid headaches down the road.

That’s a good point to consider. 👍

asheland

As much as I don’t like the thought of mailing my precious coin back out into the mail…

I have decided to go ahead and send it back to get it fixed. 👍

asheland

Everything has been resolved, the chip was fine. It was just the system at PCGS.