Just joined the collector's club
scottgardener
Posts: 1,205 ✭
I joined at the Platinum level, meaning I'll get a voucher for eight gradings. I'm already running through my mind the best candidates. One is a CC Morgan with interesting reverse-side toning, but the problem is, the obverse looks like it might have been polished. Oh, well; if so, I'll get to see what the "Genuine" no-grade looks like.
Joining didn't produce any overwhelming special effects on the PCGS main site. The Population Report section now shows population statistics rather than the old "join now and see this page" bit. The link for the Collector's Club still just shows how to purchase membership, rather than, now that I'm a member, giving me a secret link showing how to build an Interossitor to contact Supreme Command on the far side of the Klaatu Nebula.
The membership kit goes out "in 7-10 business days"; add in delivery time, and I'm looking at getting my stuff including submission forms in early to mid-January. I'll miss the President's portrait quarterly special, but past quarterly specials seem to have been generally broad enough that I should soon be toting around a fair share of slabs by this time next year.
Joining didn't produce any overwhelming special effects on the PCGS main site. The Population Report section now shows population statistics rather than the old "join now and see this page" bit. The link for the Collector's Club still just shows how to purchase membership, rather than, now that I'm a member, giving me a secret link showing how to build an Interossitor to contact Supreme Command on the far side of the Klaatu Nebula.
The membership kit goes out "in 7-10 business days"; add in delivery time, and I'm looking at getting my stuff including submission forms in early to mid-January. I'll miss the President's portrait quarterly special, but past quarterly specials seem to have been generally broad enough that I should soon be toting around a fair share of slabs by this time next year.
Improperly Cleaned, Our passion for numismatics is Genuine! Now featuring correct spelling.
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I'm not sure you'll for sure miss this quarterly special. I would imagine you'd have your stuff by Dec 31 and it just has to be postmarked by then. If you have something you're thinking of submitting I woudln't give up hope just yet. Could also get a form online now probably (???). I just waited for the paper forms.
Good luck!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Welcome to the club. You should find the people the real asset more; more so than the rocket science portion of the membership. Good luck on you first slabs. That's the most exciting and nerve wracking part of the experience (for me, anyway) ... Like Tom Petty says: the waiting is the hardest part.
Kind of quiet lately around the holiday. I'm sure you'll have a proper welcome soon enough.
Take care.
Duane
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/2819
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
<< <i>welcome! >>
Welcome to both the OP (14 posts) and the welcomer above, PCGS70 (1 post).
The 2.5 x 2.5 flips are a bit bigger than the familiar 2x2s I use for my own storage, so I'll need to make a special trip to stock up on more, or order some. (Oh well; other people just think their hobbies are expensive. "I must have spent $X on Y!" That's great, but my wish list costs more than my house.) If I use the enclosed flips to do the special, then I won't have enough left over to do the eight voucher submissions until I restock. Logically, I should prioritize the special; it expires in less than two weeks, while my voucher is good for a year. The challenge is to let logic prevail over impatience. Granted, that rule is pretty standard in any context.
To those of you following this thread, thanks for putting up with my Gee, whiz! excitement. Rediscovering numismatics makes me feel a lot like this guy.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/2819
I've mailed submissions on Saturday priority mail and had them entered on Monday. I've also used 2X2 flips and never had any problem. I don't think my submission was getting put back at the end of the line, its been about 3 weeks from the time they check them in til you get the results and mailed.
Good Luck on your submission.
My Ebay
1934-1958 RB Lincoln Short Set
The 1909 VDB is my best personal out-of-pocket find, coming out of circulation at my favorite coffee shop while I was in medical school ten years ago. The temptation was there to submit it for sentimental reasons, though it is well-worn and not at significant risk for wear, and thus I gave priority for now to the other two. I went with the steel cent, mostly on a whim, though the other one may in the coming months follow.
My eight submissions will include mostly my better coins--I'm looking at my few golds and some Morgans, to apply towards my sets, as well as an 1875 seated liberty half, and perhaps two particular modern bullion eagles. While I respect moderns more than some, my personal emphasis is silver and gold. (OK, Edge, play the blues...)
The new special with the rising sun pretty much specifically seems to be about Walking Liberty halves, Saint Gaudens double eagles, and the bullion eagles that borrowed their designs. That's almost like getting a ninth free voucher, if it weren't for the postage fees.
<< <i>The new special with the rising sun pretty much specifically seems to be about Walking Liberty halves, Saint Gaudens double eagles, and the bullion eagles that borrowed their designs. That's almost like getting a ninth free voucher, if it weren't for the postage fees. >>
Send it along with your 8 coin submission to save postage on the way to PCGS at least. Good luck
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
And, I'll take your suggestion. There's a coin show next week, so I'm waiting until afterwards before sending in submissions, in case I find something that trumps my existing queue of coins waiting for holders.
1895 $5 Liberty- to go towards my basic gold type set
1905 $2.50 Liberty- ditto
1913 $2.50 Liberty- ditto
1890o Morgan- see notes below
1884 Morgan- interesting subtle yellow-green to orange toning, particularly on the reverse, maybe MS63
1878cc Morgan- will probably get a "genuine" holder, but it needs love and protection, and hey, it's a Carson City
1875 Seated Liberty half- looks XF to low AU
1944d Lincoln cent- because uncirculated Lincolns are beautiful coins
I'm sending in to get these coins slabbed not only for the grade but also for the long-term protection. Well, yes, and the registry set. The 1890o Morgan is a last minute one that took the remaining spot from an Indian cent for now. I waited until after a coin show, just in case I found something, and I did. It was sold as an MS63 and priced accordingly. I suspect it may grade a little bit lower, but I think the price was justified because it has dramatic blue-violet toning, double-sided, that should more than make up for it. Well, unless I get back a body bag for "artificial toning"g--do they "genuine" those? The toning looks pretty natural to me, but I'm eager to see what the experts have to say. The golds are either AU or lower MS; I'm still getting the hang of grading, but they were purchased below AU prices, so any surprises should be favorable. The 1878cc Morgan looks like it may have been cleaned, but I may just be misinterpreting a fading luster.
Several coins I considered are some modern bullion eagles and the before-mentioned Indian cent. The eagles were put on hold because I felt getting the above ones holdered was more important in terms of determining value. Besides, I've got enough sets in motion.
Which now brings us to the Collector's Club special, on a separate order but mailed in together, just as illini420 suggests. It's a 1945s Walking Liberty half, a beautiful coin with a lot of mint luster. I bought it about ten years ago in an ASA-Accugrade holder, before I knew much about the certification industry. Much to my dismay, I learned later that Accugrade had one of the worst reputations among the grading services, and that they freely admitted that they came up with their own grading standards rather than using the ANA guidelines. Looking at the coin myself, it admittedly looks a little weak in strike along the high parts of the hand and dress, though it's reverse is pretty stunning. Accugrade gave it an MS65. I'm predicting MS63 or 64 myself, though I am finding that my still-developing grading tends to run conservative. I won't complain if PCGS ends up agreeing with their bitter rival on this coin, though rather than sending it in as a crossover, I cracked it out myself and am sending it in raw, so as to avoid any possible damage from hammers, gunshot, or small grenade. I understand that Accugrade a few years ago seems to have sued the major coin industry professional groups, in particular going after PCGS for having the audacity to be better at their job. When a survey of coin industry professionals put PCGS and NGC at the top and them at the bottom, they cried foul and concocted charges of conspiracy. That's not quite up there with the guy suing Apple for dropping the price on the iPhone, undercutting his plans to gouge eBay buyers on a secondary market--maybe more SCO Group. A beautiful Walking Liberty deserves better.
I'll post results as they come in.
These were my first returns as a recent, new member:
Line # Item # Cert # PCGS No. CoinDate Denomination Variety Country Grade
1 1 12973024 6567 1916-D 50C US Genuine (92 - Cleaned)
2 1 12973025 6569 1917 50C US AU55
3 1 12973026 6578 1919-D 50C US VG08
4 1 12973027 6582 1920-S 50C US F15
5 1 12973028 6584 1921-D 50C US VG10
6 1 12973029 6592 1934 50C US AU55
7 1 12973030 6597 1935-S 50C US AU50
8 1 12973031 6604 1938 50C US AU58
I occasionally pick up other type coins, but Walkers I'll take the whole kit-n-kaboodle of.
Welcome to the club and forums.
Let us know what you score on your free 8 coin submission!
Gardnerville, NV
=========================
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Exciting!@# I'm about to do the same thing. I've already got eight coins rounded up, I just have to pay the fee and get on in there. Don't forget, keep us posted! :-)
Aaron
I'm still frigging waiting...
MS65! PCGS gave my Walking Liberty half the same grade as ASA Accugrade did. I'm surprised, but I'm still getting the hang of grading. I thought I'd lose points over the weakness of the hand strike, even though there are comparatively little scratches and a lot of overall eye appeal. Perhaps I was over-thinking the hand.
I still can't wait to get my other eight. In the mean time, the Walking Liberty is already on its way back, and I'll post images when I get it.
1. 1895 gold $5: AU50- about right, and about what I expected
2. 1913 gold $2.50: Not Genuine- This is a shocker. I'm looking for my receipt from where I bought it. I really expected an AU grade.
3. 1905 gold $2.50: Genuine, filled rims- Again, I expected an AU grade, but at least it's confirmed real.
4. 1890-O Morgan: Genuine, altered surfaces- I guess the blue toning was a bit much for them. Not a big surprise.
5. 1883 Morgan: MS63- more subtle toning. I had hoped the grade would be higher, but I'm not too surprised.
6. 1878-CC Morgan: Genuine, cleaning- I knew and expected, but wanted it holdered for protection.
7. 1875 seated half: XF45- about right.
8. 1944-D wheat cent: MS65RD- again, about right.
A few more genuines than I had hoped, but those weren't the shocker. What got me was the gold coin reported "not genuine." I'm wondering if it's simply being cautious in their grading, or if it's actually a counterfeit? Who would fake a common date? Perhaps I should re-submit it and see if the same thing happens. Any suggestions?
Sorry to hear about the 1913 Indian quarter eagle not making it in a holder. As far as counterfeiting, all dates including the $5's, and $10's are common. The most common fakes are those so called "contemporary counterfeits", or transfer die copies. Their difficult to spot, and require some magnification. To spot these fakes, you must know certain die markers on the coin's surface. Non-geniune pieces tend to have tooling lines, particulary at the back side of the Indian's neck. Also repeating depressions, gouges, uniform and evenly textured surfaces.
Hope this helps...
Pictures coming later as I have time to scan them.
Edit: Here they are:
http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=799
I don't have a scale available at home that can measure weight in grams, but I rigged a qualitative comparison scale by balancing a pencil edge over another one. Two objects put on the upper pencil at equal distances from the balance point should be very close in weight, since it took very little nudging to knock down the top pencil. The fake and presumed real coins were either the same weight or close, while a control, a 1996p Roosevelt dime pulled out of circulation, balanced only with the 1929 quarter eagle noticeably closer to the fulcrum. Still, a quick look at the periodic table reminded me that lead and gold are close in density, so an alloy of lead and a small amount of lighter metal, coated with gold, could produce the same weight.
Someone went through an awful lot of trouble to fake this coin, be it some wage-slave child in China today or someone from shortly after 1929, who laughs in the face of our economic downturn.
Checked the SEARCH function and... nothing. Just joined as Silver and received the member packet. While inside were four normal Submission Forms, none said they were free vouchers. Do the vouchers arrive separately or ??? Many thanks.
But, there's a quarterly special that lets you get a free grade four times a year. The offer is a little tricky to find from the main site. Here it is:
http://www.pcgs.com/pcgs_cc_special.chtml
Each time, they use a theme. The one for January through March is for any one coin depicting the sun's rays, as a metaphor for "new direction" in honor of Obama's election. (If you voted for the other guy, try not to overthink it. It's less about politics and more about theme-iness.) Walking Liberty half-dollars and modern silver eagles spring to mind, as does gold eagle bullion coins. (Saint Gaudens $20 gold would fall above the $1000 maximum value.) Some statehood quarters and commemorative designs could also apply. Last theme, for October through December, was in honor of the Presidential election process, so any coin depicting a former President was eligible. That made eligible just about anything in circulation and about half the twentieth century. Again, you're still paying postage, so it comes to about $20 if you're sending via first class, since PCGS returns all coins via registered mail.
<< <i>The vouchers are for gold or platinum level memberships...
But, there's a quarterly special that lets you get a free grade four times a year. The offer is a little tricky to find from the main site. Here it is:
http://www.pcgs.com/pcgs_cc_special.chtml. >>
Ahhh ok. Seems i read too much INTO the offer. If i had realized this, then a Gold membership makes more sense for me (DOH). Thanks for the clarification and ALL help is ALWAYS appreciated.
My 8+1 submissions saga has finally reached its conclusion, with the return of the Not Genuine quarter eagle. I took it back to the dealer today, who gave me what I paid. He was polite, but he did say that he had trouble believing it came from his shop and had no recollection of its having been there. Still, no receipt and only my word, he took it back right away. I almost felt guilty returning it, knowing that he in all likelihood was not the one responsible for the deception. While I was there, I used the majority of the return money to pick up a 1925 Peace dollar, MS65. It's an NGC, and I prefer PCGS, but the choices in my price range were fairly limited. So, of the original nine, one came back body-bagged and was replaced, and two more never made it home, instead finding new homes at a coin show as part of an up-trade. Two of the other six are simply holdered "genuine." Of the remaining four, the surprise success story was my walking liberty half, which ended up coming back the same grade as it was from its past, lower tier company holder.
It's proving to be a great lesson in learning how to recognize what is exceptional and worthy of professional grading, versus merely pretty good, common, or worse yet, altogether fake.