CROSSOVER or CRACK IT

Sandhawk

I've got a couple of nice MS type coins in NGC holders that I want in PCGS holders. Both coins are solid for the grade, and I think one might go a grade higher. With crossover service, does PCGS normally just cross the coins at the same grade or do I have a chance of them bumping it up a grade?? OR, would it be better to crack it out and hope for the best??

Let me know what has worked better for you in the past!!

Also, what is the best way to crack an NGC or PCGS slab??

PutTogether

I say, and others will disagree, and some will agree, to send them in IN the NGC slab. The two schools of thought are that if you send it in the current slab, it will bias the PCGS graders, and may result in a coin not crossing. But I have heard a lot of stories where someone has cracked a coin out of a slab, only to have the other service body bag it. Body bags are no good because you are out the grading fee anyway. Besides, I can't shake the feeling that bias might work two ways. Maybe seeing a coin in an NGC holder might bias the graders to cross it into PCGS at the same grade. (which is your goal anyway right?)

But I digress. My point is, submit it in the NGC slab, don't crack it. As a bonus, you run less risk of hurting it if and when you do crack it.

Placid

I have coins go up in grade crossing in the ngc holder. I have also had them go down and stay the same.

LucyBop

I would have to see the coins to render a opinion.....

I have done crackouts with many a proof Frankies so I could get them in PCGs holders for my Reg set....

If one really knows their series well and can really grade the way the service you want to cross to grades, a crackout maybe a
good move... However, the crossover method allows you some security cause as someone already said, the worst thing
that could happen is the dreaded bodybag.....

It also depends on the value of the coin in question..... if its in a NGC holder and its a high dollar coin, I doubt I would crack it...
Last thing I want to do is take a bath on a coin because of the plastic. Some of you know what I mean by that.

291fifth

Save your money. Just leave them in the NGC slabs.

dorkkarl

are'nt you a COLLECTOR??? you are? so what does the plastic matter?

K S

BAJJERFAN

If you crack it and it doesn't cross or upgrade you incur the expense of reholdering and there is no guarantee that it will come back the same grade or better from NGC.

PutTogether

The bodybag doesnt suck so much because you dont get it in that coveted holder, it sucks cause you paid 30-100 bucks to get a coin into a sonically sealed plastic case, and it comes back in a vinyl flip. Waste of time and money. THATS why a BB sucks. I say they should quit using the flips. But it in a slab that says BODYBAG, and explains why. I want my coins safe damnit!

tcmitssr

I say you should send them in the NGC slabs and see what happens. If you are confident in your grading abilities and knowledge of the coin type(s) in question, you may well do ok.

I know silver classic commems pretty well. I've submitted about a dozen over the years in NGC slabs. All but one crossed over (the one being an Iowa NGC MS 68, which in retrospect is probably too high a grade to expect any service to cross). Of the remaining 11, 6 came back at a higher grade with the rest staying at the same grade (as per the crossover rules).

If you leave it in the slab, you have nothing to lose. Your concern about prejudgment is a valid one but I think the potential risk via crackout for a high end coin is too high.

Hope this helps.