PCGS / PVC / NCS - Answers & Advice Welcome

Artist

Hello All -

I have a 1900 Barber Half OGH PCGS MS-60 that I could use a little advice on.

I see no hairlines or obvious hits - however the coin has zero eye appeal. It's dull, hazy, and splotchy - looks to my novice/intermediate eye like PVC film. My first question is: did PCGS ever net-grade coins for PVC damage?

I am not a dealer or a person trying to score on an upgrade, but I would like to own and enjoy this coin in it's best possible state, so I opted to send it to NCS, and then have them send it across the street for grading. After a six-week wait, NCS sent the coin back to me untouched, saying that NGC wouldn't guarantee the grade after conservation.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? What did you do? Is NCS/NGC known to be super-cautious in cross-over situations? While I would not call myself an expert, I personally beleive in this coin - as a rule of thumb, is it generally better to submit raw coins in these instances?

Any advice / insights would be greatly appreciated.

- Artist

xbob

I don't have first hand experience with this, but it sounds like conservation methods might take a few points off the grade. They can't guarantee that is will still be graded a 60.

Was there a minimum grade checkbox or the option to permit them to do the service regardless of grade?

You could crack it out and dip it in pure acetone to see if the haze comes off. That's probably what they would do anyway. If you are successful, then you can submit the coin to any service. If not, you could still send it to NCS to see what they could do.

Regardless, there's always a chance of lowering the grade that's currently on the holder. But enjoying your coin may be more important.

PerryHall

Once you crack it out all bets are off. No more grade guarantee.

Russ

I'd guess that NCS concluded that removing the film would reveal flaws or problems that would prevent the coin from being holdered, or if it is indeed PVC, that it has damaged the surface of the coin.

Russ, NCNE

KurtHorn

Sounds like PVC damage. Undoubtedly that's why NCS wouldn't guarantee the grade. I have seen a number of PVC coins in old PCGS holders.

The real question is what do you do know. Sell it? If it were my I'd disclose the probable damage. If you do you'll take a beating on price. Or, crack it, fix the problem and take the result like a man (or woman). Anyway. I'd crack it and give it a soak in acetone until it's all gone. There are lots of threads on this procedure...