Will PCGS slab/denote a discovery coin?

tincup

If someone finds a previously unreported variety that could prove to be very popular (a nice doubled die, etc), will PCGS slab it as such and label it as a discovery piece? What is the best way to submit such an item? Or does ANACS do a better job of this type of thing?

braddick

My experience has shown the ones that will get the job done (even at their expense of contacting experts and the U.S. Mint for additional materials and references) is NGC.

They won't stop until they have the answers to all their questions regarding your Discovery coin.

They'll also work with you on how you would like the insert to appear.

DennisH

The short answer to your question is no, and I get the distinct impression they prefer to keep it that way.

That said, I have seen a couple of coins in PCGS holders with the notation they were discovery coins. I believe they were the result of friendships with key company personnel (along with bulletproof documentation) more than anything else. That's how I got my 1895-S VAM 1A Morgan into a 'Discovery Coin' holder.

VamGuy

Dennis is correct.

And here was my experience...

On Nov. 17th 2005, I sent 7 VAM discovery coins to PCGS for VAM Discovery Coin labeling & reholdering (the coins were already PCGS graded). I submitted these coins with the original paperwork from Leroy Van Allen based ON THIS Q&A SESSION with David Hall. I even included a printed copy of the Q&A session and the HTTP address of the Q&A session for verification. My credit card was promptly charged.

The coins arrived back here on January 4th. I opened the box to find all of my original VAM discovery papers, the submission paperwork, and all 7 of my coins still in their original PCGS slabs with no change. The coins were not attributed as discovery pieces, the coins were not even reholdered (still had the old green label). They were returned in the exact condition that I had sent them. There was no note, no explanation, no refund, nothing. Just my coins & paperwork returned to me, without a refund.

I immediately assumed this was a mistake. And, as luck would have it, I was driving up to Orlando to attend FUN the very next day. I brought the entire box with me, just as I had received it. I arrived at FUN and headed straight to the PCGS booth. After a lengthy discussion, I was eventually told by a representative that my discoveries are not important enough, per management.

Then it took a month of begging to get a refund, which I eventually received less the S&H fees.

Send your discovery coins to ANACS or NGC. They value their customers.

pharmer

CONECA and ICG have an attribution/slabbing program that will let you get your discovery labeled on the slab if the attributor agrees that it is a discovery and assigns a CONECA listing number. The phrase CONECA uses is "first reported", not discovered. I didn't like that at first, but upon reflection may be more accurate. Teaches humility as well, for no extra charge

tincup

Pharmer, that sounds like a good program that ICG has. How well is it accepted in the market place?

Too bad PCGS does not do a better job on these. But I guess their focus is on the grading, not varieties. (hmm... maybe one just has to play the 'game'..... perhaps keep resubmitting, and finally they will give you the designation of 'discovery' coin??!!

TwoSides2aCoin

Who has the number 1 waffle registry set, anyway ?

pharmer

The market place? Well, let me put it this way, which is the way I put it to James Taylor and James Wiles back when they started the program: give me a break on your $17 per attribution/slabbing fee for my almost 2000 listed varieties that are still raw but nice ms examples, and I'll use ebay to try to make a market, at my expense.

Suffice to say, if I ever put one of my "first reported" coins on ebay, it will be the first CONECA/ICG program slab to ever be on ebay, first reported or not.

So, not only does the market not care about that program, neither do discoverers/submitters.

Since no one has ever heard of it, and it's many years old, that pretty much tells the tale.

The other respondents are correct. ANACS has had this market by default, and only NGC has made any attempt.

Baley

I've only had one discovery coin certified, and chose NGC for the work



Their attribution and customer service was the best available, and for a job like this, I believe still is

pharmer

This is another major downside to Cherrypickers' never coming out. It is the only variety attribution system that PCGS considers worthy to reference and research for slab labeling purposes.

pontiacinf

<< <i>This is another major downside to Cherrypickers' never coming out. >>



Having paid for another numberd signed edition in 2003, I figure JT owes me 3.2 books

just a comment, oh and nice bust