How long does it take to grade 8 coins?

Resplandor · February 20, 2008 9:26AM

Mine have been there since January 5th and so far I haven't heard a thing from PCGS, they do show Ok on their site. That's 33 business days alone, not counting weekends.

TwoKopeiki · February 20, 2008 10:23AM

Did you submit under "World Economy" or "Regular"? They're running a little behind as far as grading World is concerned. If it's Economy - I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them 40 - 45 business days. My Regular submission (estimated at 15 business days) went almost double that before being graded. Turnaround on World coins is a serious issue with PCGS, in my opinion.

Resplandor · February 20, 2008 10:35AM

Hi Roman!
Actually I submitted under "World other" because I used the vouchers I was given at the time I signed up at the coin show here in Santa Clara and that was the form I received from the lady which by the way crossed the box herself. I guess it automatically means the slowest/cheapest possible way of service

coinpictures · February 20, 2008 11:29AM

Could be worse... PCGS Currency has had an order of mine logged since December 21...

FilamCoins · February 20, 2008 11:52AM

Jan 17 and counting for world economy submission .....

sinin1 · February 20, 2008 2:44PM

all those holidays and

days where the graders are at major shows

they can grade the coins in 10 seconds

all the other stuff and scheduling takes the time

DustyCoinbox · February 20, 2008 3:21PM

December 26th and counting for my World Economy Submission.

Omega · February 20, 2008 6:57PM

The currency show schedule:
Pre-FUN January 6 - 13, 2008 Orlando
FL
Comments: Submissions Only
FUN January 10 - 13, 2008 Orlando
FL
Comments: On-site grading.
New York International January 11 - 14, 2008 New York
NY
Comments: Submissions Only
Long Beach Expo February 14 - 16,2008 Long Beach
CA
Comments: On-site grading.

Busy time of year...

Doogy · February 21, 2008 1:19AM

<< Hi Roman!
Actually I submitted under "World other" because I used the vouchers I was given at the time I signed up at the coin show here in Santa Clara and that was the form I received from the lady which by the way crossed the box herself. I guess it automatically means the slowest/cheapest possible way of service

>>

Their stated turnaround time is 21 days when using the vouchers you get for signing up. It won't be long until your turnaround time is DOUBLE what the stated turnaround is, which is unaccepatable in my opinion.

SYRACUSIAN · February 21, 2008 2:13AM

My three last submissions were really processed express:

1) World economy, 17 coins, received by PCGS on December the 18th, coins delivered graded and TrueViewed in NYINC on January the 13th.

2) World regular, 3 coins, received by PCGS on December the 18th, coins delivered graded and TrueViewed in NYINC on January the 13th.

3) World regular, 20 coins, received by PCGS on December the 18th, coins delivered graded and TrueViewed in Berlin Money Fair on February the 1rst.

Overall, impressively quick turnaround, submitted a week before Christmas and incl. return hand in hand delivery, with the third submission delivered overseas after successfully dealing with the German Customs.

TwoKopeiki · February 21, 2008 2:41AM

That's pretty impressive, Dimitri. You results, however, show me something troubling in their grading process, which is lack of consistency. It sounds like either the graders have a choice which order to process, or there is a disconnect in how the orders are prioritized once received.

Just my 2 kopeiki

Horizon · February 21, 2008 3:13AM

Jan 09, and counting, for world economy submission!

SYRACUSIAN · February 21, 2008 3:59AM

<< That's pretty impressive, Dimitri. You results, however, show me something troubling in their grading process, which is lack of consistency. It sounds like either the graders have a choice which order to process, or there is a disconnect in how the orders are prioritized once received.

Just my 2 kopeiki

>>

Roman,

I didn't post this to brag, but to express my gratitude to Ron Guth who took care of them personally on both occasions and if you want, prove that there is indeed a lack of consistency: they're not always late.

Hint: TrueView often speeds up the process.

Otherwise, I must admit that the impressive result was also partly due to my repeat emails and phonecalls.

The two coin shows were my only realistic option to get them back without having to deal with Customs and pay unfair import or VAT taxes. For the same reason, I often tend to group several submissions at once, before I attend coin shows where PCGS is present.

WWW · February 21, 2008 4:27AM

I wonder how much of an impact the free quarterly grading special has.
This quarter's special marks the first time world coins were included.

TwoKopeiki · February 21, 2008 4:29AM

Dimitri, from your post it looks like only your first submission was processed in a non-standard way. The other two fall under the estimated turn-around times. It was definitely nice of PCGS to work with you arranging the delivery of the coins that work with your schedule - my hat is off to them for going an extra mile. That shows good work ethics, in my opinion.

My issue is that it's hard for me to be an advocate of PCGS when the second question is normally asked has to do with turn-around times (the first one is normally the grading standard, which I still believe is the most consistent between all of the top-tier TPGs).

MacCrimmon · February 21, 2008 5:16AM

No one has actually answered your question.

8 coins should take an average of 4 minutes including removing/reinserting the coins into their flips, grading, and logging the results into the computer....next grader takes 4 minutes, and the finalizer about another 2 minutes....figure 10 minutes total for everyone involved in the grading process.

Receiving, logging the submission, slabbing, packing, & shipping take another 4-8 weeks, give or take.

Resplandor · February 21, 2008 9:30AM

<< No one has actually answered your question.

8 coins should take an average of 4 minutes including removing/reinserting the coins into their flips, grading, and logging the results into the computer....next grader takes 4 minutes, and the finalizer about another 2 minutes....figure 10 minutes total for everyone involved in the grading process.

Receiving, logging the submission, slabbing, packing, & shipping take another 4-8 weeks, give or take.

>>

You're absolutely right

And Dimitri, I did request trueview.

Something is very wrong with this kind of service, it's unacceptable and unprofessional!

TwoKopeiki · February 21, 2008 11:17AM

Mac, you kill me. How long do you think licking stamps for the International orders takes?

justanothercoinaddict - I understand why the turn-arounds are longer than usual. In times like these, it would be nice to have those estimates updated with something more realistic. Perhaps have a "rolling" average based on the last coin certified at the end of the day? What happens now is that after 35 days, people start calling asking how much longer until the grades are posted. There are no intermediate check-points for the orders, so the answer from their representatives is always the same - we don't know where exactly your coins are in line, World coins normally run longer, etc. That can cause frustration, especially for new members, not familiar with the process. A rolling estimate based on the last coin certified at the end of the day would at least give the submitters a peace of mind (even if that estimate is sitting at 30 days for a Regular service).

FilamCoins · February 28, 2008 9:27AM

Jan 17 and still counting .....

Resplandor · February 28, 2008 10:52AM

...still counting

I packed this eight coins on New Year's eve and sent them out on the first day of regular USPS service (January 2nd), they showed in their site on Jan 5th. So far it has been 57 days since the last time I saw them. 39 business days and counting...

MacCrimmon · February 28, 2008 11:39AM

Mac, you kill me. How long do you think licking stamps for the International orders takes?

As long as the US$ continues its freefall, it will take longer tomorrow than today.

ajaan · February 28, 2008 8:24PM

I just mailed in a World coin and US coin submission on Feb 27th. I'll see how long that takes. I'm betting at least 2 months.

SYRACUSIAN · February 28, 2008 11:03PM

<< 

And Dimitri, I did request trueview.

Something is very wrong with this kind of service, it's unacceptable and unprofessional! >>

I recently asked why the TrueView service disappeared from the 2007 and 2008 forms ,and the reply I got was that too many TrueView requests were jamming the system even more. I'm talking about submissions of multiple identical modern US bullion coins, that wanted a Trueview photo with each coin as well, which is unreasonable when a stock photo, the Mint's own, can easily serve as an alternative.Anyway, I'm wishing you all a quick grading process of your coins and in particular to ajaan who's submitted a few on my behalf.

When you have to face the local Customs sword at each submission like myself, turnaround time seems like the least of all worries.

jetblack740il · February 29, 2008 6:29AM

PCGS received my coins Jan. 9 and got the grades today and happy with the results.

FilamCoins · March 7, 2008 10:17AM

Jan 17 and still counting .....

ajaan · March 7, 2008 10:32AM

Had a submission entered yesterday. Hope to get them back before Memorial Day.

FilamCoins · March 18, 2008 8:10AM

Submitted Jan 17 ..... Called PC today just to say Hi. They said "any day now".

TwoKopeiki · March 18, 2008 8:35AM

Doh, Filam, I have one submitted 10 days after yours ...

Guess I'll stop checking daily status for a while

Horizon · March 18, 2008 9:51PM

Lucky you.
PCGS received my 7 coins on the same day, and, I am still waiting for the submission to be processed.

TwoKopeiki · March 25, 2008 11:12AM

Anyone we know submitted this one?

Shared Order

Wouldn't mind making an offer on that 1796 AU53

Too bad about all the BB's, though

All 3 pillars were fakes, too.

TwoKopeiki · March 25, 2008 11:14AM

P.S. My World Economy is currently on 41st business day, World Regular is day 17.

ajaan · March 26, 2008 6:54AM

Since there is no longer any kind of guarantee turn around time, PCGS has no incentive to get coins graded quickly.

They really do have a big problem with World coin submission turn around time.

TwoKopeiki · March 26, 2008 7:15AM

Don, in all honesty, I'm starting to get very frustrated about this. To a point that I'm starting to question whether to renew my PCGS subscription, or not. I still believe that they are the best and most consistent TPG out there, but it's getting harder and harder to be their advocate with these turn-around times.

Edit: Ahhh, who am I kidding? I'm hopelessly hooked on their plastic

MrEureka · March 26, 2008 9:09AM

I won't pretend to know how PCGS does things, but I suspect that some invoices are delayed because it's necessary to show certain coins to outside consultants. If I'm right, it would be smart to submit the "easy" coins on one invoice and more "difficult" coins on another.

Ron Guth will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong...

ormandh · March 26, 2008 9:24AM

<< Jan 09, and counting, for world economy submission! >>

You have been wainting since next year?!!

Just kidding!!!

FilamCoins · March 26, 2008 9:41AM

<< I won't pretend to know how PCGS does things, but I suspect that some invoices are delayed because it's necessary to show certain coins to outside consultants. If I'm right, it would be smart to submit the "easy" coins on one invoice and more "difficult" coins on another. >>

My Jan 13 submission is relatively easy NZ predecimal. 2 1/2 months and counting. This will probably be my first and last year as a CU member.

Preussen · March 27, 2008 6:54AM

My Collector Club "free" submissions were entered on 2/25/08. Today I see that my grades are posted

although it doesn't indicate that they've been shipped yet. Not a bad wait (and the grades are ok, too

) -Preussen

TwoKopeiki · March 27, 2008 7:51AM

<< I won't pretend to know how PCGS does things, but I suspect that some invoices are delayed because it's necessary to show certain coins to outside consultants. >>

There you go again, Andy, being rational and logical....

I'm still shocked about the lack of information of PCGS phone operators. If the coin is sent to consultants - shouldn't this bit of information be available to the customer support person that's talking to a collector who hasn't seen his coins in over 2 Months?