Canada ICCS holder question

XpipedreamR · December 28, 2003 5:15AM

Hello, Darksiders!

Well, you're beginning to corrupt me. I've received my first few Canadian coins over the past week or so, and they're fabulous!

I couple of the coins are in ICCS holders. The ICCS holder seems to be two flips in one, an outer PVC flip, and an inner mystery flip. Is the inner mystery flip a non-PVC plastic? I imagine that it would be, because the coins are meant to be left in the ICCS flip (they are supposed to stay in the flip, right?) And the PVC in the outer flip doesn't soak through into the inner one (I hope)?

Also, the outer flip on one of the coins has some sticky gunk on part of it. Is there a good way to clean these that won't wreck them? Would Goo Gone be OK?

Antthing else I should know?

Many, many thanks!!!

Darkhorse · December 28, 2003 5:16AM

ICCS holders are fine. An accurate and respected grading service as well.

rhound1977 · December 28, 2003 5:20AM

What Darkhorse said

The inner holder is inert and the coins should be fine. ICCS does a nice job of grading, and runs on the
conservative side.....

1jester · December 28, 2003 5:32AM

Welcome to the DARK!!!!

I hate the fact that ICCS uses outer PVC flips. It's insane and stupid and unprofessional. At least the inner flips are inert, mylar "Saflips". But there's absolutely no excuse for a "respectable" TPG to even go near PVC. Shame on them. I hate it and break out every single ICCS flip I get and soak the coins in acetone. They're doing the hobby a great disservice by propogating the use of PVC. PVC has no business in numismatics.

canadiancoinguy · December 28, 2003 6:11AM

Well, what would you suggest then?

1jester · December 28, 2003 6:13AM

I've thought about that, and using a mylar outer flip would only get scratched quickly. I suppose the only alternative I can think of is to use normal slabs like the other TPGs.

canadiancoinguy · December 28, 2003 6:17AM

Which was considered and rejected. It's kinda funny that ICCS is kinda backwards, ie. they're the only real TPG I can think of that doesn't have a website.

cacheman · December 28, 2003 6:57AM

...and they might as well not have a telephone for as often as it's answered either.

Darkhorse · December 28, 2003 7:13AM

Yeah, they stop answering the phone at 4pm eastern which is lame. ICCS is good at grading but they really need to get their shît together.

cacheman · December 28, 2003 7:26AM

I bet I have called there 100 times, easily...I have never had the phone picked up at any business hour.

ajaan · December 28, 2003 7:29AM

ICCS = worst customer service available.

Darkhorse · December 28, 2003 7:33AM

In 2002 I finally got through to them and gave them my address (with difficulty), when I finally got the submission form it was addressed to Bill Arnott.

spoon · December 28, 2003 7:37AM

So is ICCS just some supergeek running an operation out of his basement or what??

ajaan · December 28, 2003 7:37AM

Hey Bill, that's typical for them. Brian Cromwell really needs to set up a website. I think it would increase their submissions. But then again, maybe they don't want increased submissions.

cacheman · December 28, 2003 7:47AM

While we're on the subject...I will be coming back in May from Sweden with a couple hundred Canadian coins that my friend wants me to submit to ICCS for him. He'll then ebay off the coins and have me ship them out for him. Without any contact with these people I'm not sure I really want to just send all of these off to some black hole back east. Anyone got a clue as to how I might want to go about this?

coinkat · December 28, 2003 10:45AM

While I respect the ICCS Graders, their holders leave alot to be desired. ICCS should consider buying SEGS so the SEGS holder can be the new ICCS holder that they really need. Sounds like a good idea doesn't it?

Clankeye · December 28, 2003 1:19PM

I like ICCS graded coins for certain years and coin types I am collecting. I think they do a very good job grading, and I appreciate that all I need to remove the coins from their holder is a pair of scissors. I do not keep ICCS coins in their holders. But, I am not buying coins that are multiples of hundreds of dollars.

I have encountered quite a few ICCS coins in holders that are so scuffed I originally thought there might have been problems on the coin's surface. Upon removing them, I found the coins to be fine and correctly graded.

So... I would not like ICCS holders very much if I was planning on keeping the coins in them. I do not believe they show a coin off very well. But, I respect the job the company does grading, and for my purposes (removing the coins and putting them in an album) they are perfect.

Also, ICCS uses designations in their grading (such as Cameo, Heavy Cameo and Ultra Cameo) that I find useful in my interests.

Clankeye

XpipedreamR · December 28, 2003 1:44PM

I'm still not sure what to do about the holders.

It kind of sucks having to look at the coin through two layers of plastic.

But I feel weird about removing them. I guess I'll have to sleep on it.

wallstreetman · December 28, 2003 5:43PM

ICCS better wake up, I predict there will be a lot of defectors to PCGS, its already started! Ive been hearing of a lot of crosses to PCGS, and Im part of that crowd. I agree, it sure is nice freeing a coin with a pair of scissors! I have to admit, Im only looking at it from a Silver Dollar point of view!

SYRACUSIAN · December 28, 2003 6:46PM

I'm afraid I disagree with the majority of the replies here and by coincidence, I was discussing the ICCS holder with other collectors at my local club yesterday. I took an ICCS coin to show it to the slab-o-phobic members and they all liked it. Why? Because they could see the edge of the coin and because the low-profile appearance of this grading service, in total contrast with the outrageously expensive PCGS slab for ex., appealed to them. If the coin is in no danger from the outer PVC flip, I don't see the problem and even if I did, I'd use a pair of scissors like Clankeye.Their grades are correct and so are their colour designations or their attributions. Customer service is another issue. Maybe they don't want more submissions, or they're not ready to handle them yet.In conclusion,I believe that the ICCS holder is the best midway solution to get people to accept and recognize the need of a TPG service and as for the initial question , the coins are more likely to bring better prices in their original holders if they're going to be sold in the near future.

docday2003 · December 28, 2003 11:15PM

One problem with ICCS is that they are way too liberal with the "red" designation on copper. PCGS is much tighter.

XpipedreamR · December 29, 2003 5:25AM

How long has ICCS been around and using these holders?

Has anyone had PVC problems?

How long would it take PVC damage to become apparent?

lordmarcovan · December 29, 2003 12:12PM

<< <i>ICCS should consider buying SEGS so the SEGS holder can be the new ICCS holder that they really need. Sounds like a good idea doesn't it?
>>

Sounds like a winner to me. Best holder on the market combined with conservative grading. Best of both worlds, and you'd do away with the less-savory aspects of the two: ICCS's cheesy "non-slabs" and SEGS' permissive grading.

Canada ICCS holder question

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