To Cross or Not To Cross

keoj

The history is that I continously get beat up at PCGS (less so at NGC) on crossovers. I think that I have enough of an eye on the coins that I collect to grade moderately well. I don't want to start another thread on who's tougher these days as I feel that it ends up being more series and grade range specific and you can't generalize. For the series that I collect, PCGS is usually a little tighter and not as consistent as NGC. I really have no bias on collecting coins from either service or raw (or ANACS for that matter.....like I said I think I know the series that I collect pretty well). Here's the issue and a couple of questions:

I really would like to complete my Registry but am missing one coin. I have the coin in NGC-58. I previously tried to cross and it was sent back with no comments, no explanation. The usual PCGS mystery (this is one of the most irritating things that PCGS does). I am not going to submit it raw (its worth the same to me whether its in a NGC or PCGS holder as the coin is really nice) as I feel that the grade is correct as stated. Would you resubmit or not? I've never really done this but do people resubmit a lot of coins for cross that DNC, DNC and then cross? What are peoples other peoples experiences like?

Normally, I wouldn't bother but "just one more coin" is setting in. However, after that, its the upgrade path for me!

keoj

FC57Coins

Depends on how tough a coin it is to come by - can you sell it and wait for the right coin to come by? If PCGS sent it back it's probably because it did not cross at the grade that it has on the NGC slab. I think you can specify "cross at any grade" and they will slab it at the grade they feel is appropriate. Me, I'd see about selling it or trading it if I wasn't "attached" to the coin - but I get easily attached

Frank

braddick

Edited because Frank beat me to it.

-What he said!

keoj

Frank:

Thanks...more data. The coin is pretty tough to come by. They probably happen 2-3 every year. I have one in 58 and I saw a 60 and 61 go by that I didn't like (both in NGC holders) that were more baggy than I like. Also, value is a consideration. Losing a grade in this case is about a $500-1000 hit. Increasing a grade is about a $3000 benefit. So it can be a costly change. Now what?

keoj

FC57Coins

Ah! Hence the dilema. Been there got the T-shirt. I had a 1962 MS66 Franklin that I tried to cross to PCGS but it didn't - didn't want to crack it because it might have dropped the coin about $500 if it didn't make the 66 grade, so, I sold it in the NGC holder and waited for one that met my specs - had to wait almost a year and a half, but it was worthwhile. I'd leave it in the holder and wait for the right opportunity to sell, then get the coin you really want. - Sounds like you also kinda like this coin, so I feel for you - I know what it's like to get attached to those things!!!

tradedollarnut

Joe: keep the coin as is knowing that one day the right coin for you will come along. Just the fact you say that you like it makes me believe you should keep it.

I'm about to drop the PCGS 1873-CC from my set because, even tho it's NGC, the Vermeule 1873-CC is head and shoulders above that coin. Why should I keep a coin I don't like (and is not as nice as another I own) just to be 100% in a Registry?

Don't lose sight of the fact we are coin collectors, not holder collectors! [I know you know this]

keithdagen

really would like to complete my Registry but am missing one coin. I have the coin in NGC-58.

NGC will let you register their coin and the PCGS slabs, letting you have a 100% complete collection. Assuming they've got to your favorite set.

Seriously, keep the coin, and don't worry about the holder. Just because a grading service can't recognize the merit of our coins doesn't mean that we should take steps to replace it. You bought it for a reason, so go ahead and keep it.

IrishMike

There is absolutely no way I would submit any NGC coin for cross. It's become obvious by the comments by David Hall that PCGS is heck-bent on showing the world that their (NGC) coins do not deserve to cross. Could it only be a coincidence that this happened at a time that Rick went across the street and the management shakeups at Bowers and Merena. Keep the coin if you like it and it sounds like you do and take Keith's suggestion, start a Registry at NGC.

It seems like we are given two choices if we want a Registry Set, play the crack out game or only buy PCGS coins, which leads to the purchase of plastic not coins. Your choice, you can let the coin determine the registry or the slab.

EVillageProwler

Keoj,

You know how I feel about this issue. Forget about the crossover attempts (and the frustrations that are sure to follow). For this series, the NGC registry is just as good as the PCGS one.

BTW, do you collect coins or do you collect registry points? All your past articles in the GJ were about coins. Is your next article going to be about the registry? Are you still the same person who's taught me much about your specialty series?

(Sorry for the harshness of my tone, but I'm trying to shock you back into my way of thinking!)

EVP

keoj

EVP:

No worries mate! I'm still the same person who collects coins! I'm current waiting for the universal Puskin Grading Service to come into being, smashing the stranglehood that the slab extortionists have on the hobby.

Actually, my next article might be on the Registies. I was was going to point how true population of availability (ie my 10 year database) does not reflect at all the PCGS or NGC pops nor does it reflect the values that these companies have on rarity. (I don't want to get TDN going on this again!) Anyone seen any business strike 1874 T$ coins lately (example). Most of the values and rarities are okay for guidance but should never be taken at face value.

As a collector, my quest for completeness took me to a dark place for a moment.

keoj