How does this happen?

jacktheknife

I sent a coin to a board member. I mailed it in a cardboard mailer in an envelope. The slab was new (2 months old). It shows up at his house in 2 pieces. INCREDIBLE!! I can only imagine how the good old U.S. Postal service managed that one. I mean, think of the force it takes to crack a slab in half. I felt really bad and am going to replace the coin with one from my own collection, I just found it incredible. Thanks USPS.

trozau

Put it in a box. Those in envelopes are run through sorters.

Tonelover

It's a very common occurence. The cardboard mailer inside an envelope is thin enough so that it goes through the automated sorting machines. The rollers jam up at high speed when that thing hits and voila, broken slab. I never package like that any more after a high percentage of mine were arriving in more pieces than when I dropped them off. It's safer to use bubble mailers which due to their size are hand sorted.

nederveit

That is unfortunate, and nice of you to send another one as a replacement. That's a quality move IMO.

I always use a bubble mailer of some kind (and a cardboard mailer), which I think provides better protection. I give a lot of credit to my local USPS folks, I think they do a great job. Give them the benefit of the doubt, I know they aren't perfect!

LincolnCentMan

JTK,

Does this answer your question?



David

LincolnCentMan

I had a 29-D in 65RD that the same thing happend to... I couldnt find a pic of that one.

David

Kriek

Package your coins in a sturdy box with plenty of packing peanuts and bubble wrap.

Most of these packages are practically thrown across the room and against a wall.

Dennis88

Sent it like the way you sent some coins to me...That's the savest way..

Dennis

Barry

Anything thicker than 1/4 inch doesn't go through the sorter. That's why they require an extra 12 cents postage on 1 oz. I always use a bubble mailer (except for Registered, where they don't permit them as it's not paper) for this reason, and have never had a problem.

nwcs

My collector's coin slab from PCGS that I got when I first joined there 2 years ago arrived snapped in two as well. When I ship a slab, I do it with at least three layers of bubblewrap or in bubblewrap + box. Either way, it cannot be processed like regular mail so it doesn't go through the same wringers.

ibzman350

Yep, happened to me.

Herb

MadMarty

I'm taking a box of slabs to the post office to get cracked out this morning!

jacktheknife

Everyone,
Thanks for the feedback. I had no idea how this could happen. As usual, this board is an excellent resource for information.
I must also apologize for my harsh comments about USPS. I figured it was just careless handling....I guess careless packaging was equally to blame.

Lesson learned,

Jack

airplanenut

I wrap coins in bubble wrap and put them in a bubble mailer... never a cracked slab.

Jeremy