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Truview - revised program

PCGS Revises TrueView Photo Service Pricing

Effective March 2, 2009, the price of the PCGS TrueViewSM Photography Service will increase to $20 for coins valued up to $20,000 and $40 for coins valued over $20,000.

The purpose of the TrueView photo service is to provide a quality image of a coin at the most opportune moment – before it is encapsulated in plastic. This will provide the customer with an unobstructed view of the coin in a high-resolution image that can be utilized for a number of numismatic and commercial purposes.

Price:
• Coins valued up to $20,000 - $20
• Coins valued over $20,000 - $40

Submission Requirements:
• The TrueView service is available on Raw, Reholder and Regrade services, and is not available on Crossovers.
• The TrueView service must be requested for ALL coins on an order.
• Turnaround time will be increased up to 3 days.
• The submitter must indicate “TrueView” in the “Other” section of the invoice and add the appropriate fees in the “Fee Calculation” section.

A TrueView certificate is created for each coin and made available to the customer. The customer will also receive an e-mail which includes a link to the image.
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Comments

  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭
    Why does the value of the coin matter?
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • jessewvujessewvu Posts: 5,065 ✭✭✭✭✭
    maybe they put on white gloves when it's over 20k image
  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,809 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sounds like they are tired of photographing $100 coinsimage
    Trade $'s
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just doin' their part for the Economy.
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Sounds like they are tired of photographing $100 coinsimage >>



    image

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • Wow. $20? Count me out.

    Sheesh.
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • illini420illini420 Posts: 11,466 ✭✭✭✭✭
    never did Truview photos before, but I like them and have considered sending in my set for photos when complete. what does it cost for the photo now? can't find on the PCGS site to see how big of an increase we're talking about. In looking at the website alone I wouldn't even know that they offered the Truview service...
  • DonWillisDonWillis Posts: 961 ✭✭✭
    Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin?
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    $20.00!?!?! SHEESH! This can't last.
    image
  • illini420illini420 Posts: 11,466 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>$20.00!?!?! SHEESH! This can't last. >>



    So I'm guessing it's a substantial increase???



    << <i>Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin? >>



    Just for clarification for someone who hasn't used the service in the past, isn't the coin already out of a holder when you photo it? Not sure where cracking out is involved.
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 17,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sounds like Phil is wanted over at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. image
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    Yes. It is DOUBLE the price. With all the counterfeiting going on this service should cost less (or be of no charge for say coins over $100) to encourage more photographing thus less counterfeiting.
    image
  • Don -

    Trueview photos are a value added service that PCGS provides to us collectors. It gives us a great opportunity to have a professional quality digital photo of our coins. However, raising the price to $20 per photo for coins under $1K is harsh. For example, I may send in 5 coins that have an average value of $100 a piece. I would regularly pay the $10 per coin cost to have these trueview'd. Now that you are doubling the cost I see less value in having the service performed and likely would not. I ask that you reconsider the increase or at least reconsider revising the tier structure to maintain the $10 per coin cost for coins under a certain $ threshold.

    Respectfully,
    Pete



    edit:spelling image
    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111


  • << <i>Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin? >>



    Not in the slightest. What happens differently if Phil is photographing a $10 coin vs. a $1 million coin? Is this supposed to justify the extra $20? Does Phil take $20 worth of extra "care" with the $1 million coin?
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 17,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Has the value of our own TrueViewed PCGS slabs gone up in value now??? image
  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082
    If it’s a “Genuine” slab coin will they overprint the image with the Secret Numerical Code?

    As to price, given the quality of the images, it seems reasonable. After reading all the complaints on this and other boards about making good coin photos, I suspect most folks would continue to like the option of having a nice image (and the image file).

    A few of the images in the new Peace dollar book were from True View photos (with permission, of course), and they reproduced just fine.

    It's a viable option for those who don't feel comfortable shooting their own coin pictures.
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin? >>



    I didn't know that it was more difficult to photograph coins of different values. Nor did I know that it's more difficult to crack out a $100 coin than a $100,000 coin. I assumed the same procedures were used for both.
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    WOW !!! That's shocking... Never would imagine it doubling. image
  • Count me out as well for continuing to have my coins photographed with TrueView.


  • << <i>Don -

    Trueview photos are a value added service that PCGS provides to us collectors. It gives us a great opportunity to have a professional quality digital photo of our coins. However, raising the price to $20 per photo for coins under $1K is harsh. For example, I may send in 5 coins that have an average value of $100 a piece. I would regularly pay the $10 per coin cost to have these trueview'd. Now that you are doubling the cost I see less value in having the service performed and likely would not. I ask that you reconsider the increase or at least reconsider revising the tier structure to maintain the $10 per coin cost for coins under a certain $ threshold.

    Respectfully,
    Pete



    edit:spelling image >>



    i agree with this!!!







    my ebay items BST transactions/swaps/giveaways with: Tiny, raycyca,mrpaseo, Dollar2007,Whatafind, Boom, packers88, DBSTrader2, 19Lyds, Mar327, pontiacinf, ElmerFusterpuck.
  • I've said it before. In my humble opinion PCGS should have a flat rate based on the declared value of the coin which includes grading, variety attribution, and True View photos. This will help with identifying counterfeit, suspect coins and slabs. Buyers will be able to access the coins certification and picture on the PCGS web site. It will be hard for any counterfeiter to copy the coins exact wear, hits, toning, ex... By doing this it would eliminate all counterfeit PCGS slabbed coins. This flat rate service will also assist in more accurate numbers in the PCGS population report. Currently I according to the population report I am the owner of the only 1807 B-1 Quarter.

    Please feel free to chime in with your opinion.

    Tom
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,453 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always thought the original pricing structure was unsustainable - glad PCGS kept it as long as they did. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,099 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bummer.

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • DAMDAM Posts: 2,410 ✭✭
    Sound like Obama had a hand in this decission. The more you make, the more you pay under the Obama plan. In this case, if you can afford a $40k coin. you can afford $20 more for a picture.
    Dan
  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    As a collector, everything I do has a value to me. There is no doubt that a truview picture has value. So does the picture I take with my own camera. If I owned a very rare coin that I wanted to preserve with a really fine picture, then spending $20 or $50 for it would not be an issue. I would WANT that image. For most coins in most peoples collections it probably isn't worth it to them to spend $20 or even $10 for this service. That is why it is not advertised and those who really want it WILL pay for it and all the others will not. JMHO. Steveimage


  • << <i>Sound like Obama had a hand in this decission. The more you make, the more you pay under the Obama plan. In this case, if you can afford a $40k coin. you can afford $20 more for a picture. >>



    if you can do the $40,000 coin you can do the $20 for tru view. what about us peons with the $100 and $200 coins???
    my ebay items BST transactions/swaps/giveaways with: Tiny, raycyca,mrpaseo, Dollar2007,Whatafind, Boom, packers88, DBSTrader2, 19Lyds, Mar327, pontiacinf, ElmerFusterpuck.
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,257 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin? >>



    I didn't know that it was more difficult to photograph coins of different values. Nor did I know that it's more difficult to crack out a $100 coin than a $100,000 coin. I assumed the same procedures were used for both. >>




    My guess is that the high dollar coin gets an escort to the camera room and back.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 17,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is why it is not advertised and those who really want it WILL pay for it and all the others will not

    HomerunSteve!!! image
  • Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin?


    I must of read it wrong - only available for raw or reslabs

    so cracking out should not matter, because it is going to happen anyway


    do the reholder crackout people have more experience than the photo crack-out team?
  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082
    Maybe a little comparison would help (although it also might be outdated).

    I took hundreds of coin photos for dealers, collectors and publishers in the early 1970s. Some at coin shows, most in dealer’s offices or shops, and some mailed coins to me. A typical price was $10 per coin including 2 B&W prints. Color slides were the same price and color prints were $15 per coin.

    That was 35 years ago.

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,257 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Of course the value matters. Would it matter if you were cracking out a $100,000 coin vs. a $100 coin?


    I must of read it wrong - only available for raw or reslabs

    so cracking out should not matter, because it is going to happen anyway


    do the reholder crackout people have more experience than the photo crack-out team? >>



    I bet one team does all of the crack outing.image
    theknowitalltroll;
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Free marketplace guys.
    PCGS can charge whatever they like and the customer can decide to use or not use the service.
    There are some board members that also do a great job taking pics of your coins (Russ and Mark for example)
    give them a call for a price quote if interested.
    The pics are optional and those that want them will have to pay a little more for them, or not.
    I like the way they look and would think about it on a coin by coin basis.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Free marketplace guys.
    PCGS can charge whatever they like and the customer can decide to use or not use the service.
    There are some board members that also do a great job taking pics of your coins (Russ and Mark for example)
    give them a call for a price quote if interested.
    The pics are optional and those that want them will have to pay a little more for them, or not.
    I like the way they look and would think about it on a coin by coin basis. >>


    image
    Maybe the service will not get so clogged up with all the $5 AGEs and Marine Corps commems, so I can get my real coins photographed at PCGS. imageimage

    Add Beckoa and airplanenut to the list of forum photographers.
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Maybe a little comparison would help (although it also might be outdated).

    I took hundreds of coin photos for dealers, collectors and publishers in the early 1970s. Some at coin shows, most in dealer’s offices or shops, and some mailed coins to me. A typical price was $10 per coin including 2 B&W prints. Color slides were the same price and color prints were $15 per coin.

    That was 35 years ago. >>



    Wow. Even more of a ripoff!!
    image
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    I wonder if this will help DGS. Coins graded at over $100.00 get imaged as part of their visual pop report. The cost per coin is $13.00. You could send coins of over $100.00 value for grading to DGS, they photograph anything over $100 declared value, crack them out, send them off to PCGS and save $7.00 a coin and still have images.


    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    Hmph. Photographers get no respect.

    Go ahead and take your own picture, then. Lots of folks seem to think they can.



    Complaining about a price increase? I guess that's to be expected.


  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I wonder if this will help DGS. Coins graded at over $100.00 get imaged as part of their visual pop report. The cost per coin is $13.00. You could send coins of over $100.00 value for grading to DGS, they photograph anything over $100 declared value, crack them out, send them off to PCGS and save $7.00 a coin and still have images. >>



    I doubt it. Their photos are relatively low quality.
  • BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    Coins over 20,000 require the Photographer

    to wash his hands before taking picture. Time

    is money you know.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage


  • << <i>

    << <i>I wonder if this will help DGS. Coins graded at over $100.00 get imaged as part of their visual pop report. The cost per coin is $13.00. You could send coins of over $100.00 value for grading to DGS, they photograph anything over $100 declared value, crack them out, send them off to PCGS and save $7.00 a coin and still have images. >>

    >>



    I guess the cost of shipping in this example is zero, your time has no value whatsoever, and the quality of the images is not a consideration at all.

  • DoogyDoogy Posts: 4,508


    sit back and watch the number of TrueView submissions slip by 50%



  • << <i>sit back and watch the number of TrueView submissions slip by 50% >>




    If that is the case, then it would be a wash for PCGS since they doubled the price.

    Truview submissions would need to decrease by more than 50% for PCGS to have a reduction in the revenue stream for this service.
    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    I can see trueview submissions decreased by more than 50% b/c most of the coins submitted will no longer be worth it at that price.
    image
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    Don't forget that a 50% reduction in submissions...a wash in the price realized...

    ...would also have a benefit to PCGS in terms of the photographers hours spent. Less hours spent is a benefit as far as less payroll.

    Perhaps the photographer is overloaded with work and instead of hiring another photographer, they are raising the price to lower the volume.

    HEY! WAITAMINIT!

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My guess is that it was a loser for PCGS at the $10 price point. Even if submissions for True View drop by 50%, it will take half the effort (or less) to get the work done.

    CU is a business, not a charity.


  • << <i>sit back and watch the number of TrueView submissions slip by 50% >>



    I doubt that very much.

    Regardless, there are myriad options for any collector to have their coins of any value photographed. If cost is the primary consideration, I imagine shooting them yourself is probably the way to go.

    But there is only one place you can have a PCGS coin imaged professionally, out of the holder, without risking 'losing the grade'. That is a very valuable service to some, and I believe they will continue to avail themselves of it. If this service were advertised and promoted more heavily (it's really been something of a well kept secret) I think volume could significantly increase.
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    NO more truview for meimage
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    While I normally don't whine that much about what PCGS does (well, except for that First Day of Issue Presidential Dollar thing) I think that a 100% price increase is just plain silly.

    If I had ever been considering having some of my sets done, thats just out of the question now.

    Please be sure to let folks know when the service is officially cancelled because no body is using it ok??
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always thought that they have not done a good enough job promoting this service to dealers. They would need to get the turnaround time down, but by reducing the number of First Spouse coins and ASEs submitted, maybe they can do this.
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I gotta worry about people that have $100 coins imaged for $10, slabbed for an additional expense, not to mention the cost of shipping both ways...

    The quality of Truview images appears to be excellent and excellence costs.

    If PCGS ends up losing money because thousands of people stop sending in their $100 coins, then I'm sure they'll reconsider the changes.

    Have people groaned in the past about having to pay MORE money to have a $100,000 coin graded as opposed to a $100 coin? What's the difference in this argument?

    I agree that cracking a $100 coin and cracking a $100,000 coin uses the same basic skills. However, it seems that it would only be natural (i.e. basic human nature) to take greater care with the $100,000 coin. Shoot, as was mentioned previously, perhaps they DO wear special gloves for those coins.

    It's great that PCGS provides this forum for people to lambast their services.....free speech at its best!

    I know, I know, "what's up SS? trying to get brownie points?" No, just playing devil's advocate. Honestly, I've never used the Truview service.


  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    Maybe they want to discontinue the program. They tried stopping it once before and we complained, and PCGS raised the fee from $5.00 to $10.00. They have also increased the fees for the attribuation service.

    The 1931-S DDO I cherrypicked out of my own collection
    Cost in December when it was graded.
    $18 to grade
    $18 to attribute
    $10 to image
    $5.00 handling (divided over however many coins sent in)
    ----------------
    $51.00 plus s/h

    Monday
    $18.00 to grade
    $24.00 to attribute
    $20.00 to image
    $8.00 handling (divided over however many coins sent in)
    ---------------------
    $70.00 plus s/h



    image

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

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