Does early Red and Red/Brown copper become less stable when reholdered, and should we try to avoid t

Longacre

I was taking a read through another thread, and a board member made the following comment:

"Anytime you send in a coin to be reholdered or regraded, photographed, when the coin has to removed from the holder you accept the risk that it might be damaged or could changed color in a new holder. I have a number of green label PCGS coins. early copper, that would probably upgrade to MS65. They are red and red-brown and seem stable as I have had them for 10 years now. I will upgrade them when I get ready to sell them."


Does anyone know if there is a greater likelihood that an early red copper or red/brown copper will change color if it gets removed from its original holder, and put into a new holder? If so, should we try to avoid doing such things? Also, given the risk and the fact that were are caretakers for these numismatic treasures, should we forego the upgrade and number on the holder for the lessening of the risk of a coin turning in a holder?

MikeInFL

Unless mishandled, I don't think there's a huge risk in reholdering older copper, so I disagree with the premise. Remember, the majority of copper is raw to begin with and those that aren't survived outside of slabs for better than a hundred years.

That said, I'd much prefer to buy RD and RB copper in older holders as it speaks to the stability of the color.

numisma

The whole "process" these days is regrettable. Some coins, especially the rarest ones, have more frequent flyer miles than all of my friends combined. Coins get shipped back and forth--looking for the upgrade at NGC, then the cross at PCGS. Then it is sold and shipped again, only for the new owner to "take a shot" at an upgrade at NGC. And then we have the coins that travel 3 times per month to national coins shows. The constant climate changes could have an affect on the coins, especially red copper. Fortunately there are collections in the U.S. that are very secure and stored in coin cabinets or environmentally stable rooms by knowledgeable collectors, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

notwilight

I agree with Mike. Also TDN made a good point yesterday that you can possibly get a gold bean on an OGH that is a lock upgrade which I would much rather have than a new holder one point higher. --Jerry