Question on sending unopened Mint packages to PCGS

dtkk49a

Let's use the 25th Anniversary ASE sets for example. Has PCGS explained the process they use to keep track of which coins belong to each customer? How do you know you are getting back the coins you actually submitted?

GRANDAM

Each submission form is a seperate order and is labeled internally and graded seperatley,,,,,

GrandAm

LindeDad

If you question the integrity of the system it's your free choice to use it or not. But when a company is selling trust I would think it's in their primary best interest to be trustworthy.

ianrussell

I don't see it any different than when we send in other submissions for grading. They keep everything separate by submission number.

- Ian

DonWillis

Every submission, 25th Anniversary or not, is carefully opened under video camera.

Each coin is removed from the packaging and laid out under the camera.

Each coin is then placed in a flip which is labeled with a unique number (the cert number). All labels are written and bar coded.

The entire submission is placed in it's own white box which is labeled with a unique order number.

No coins ever leave the box except one at a time while they are being graded by each grader.

Once graded the coins are sent to sealing where they are removed from the box and sealed in plastic holders. At that time they are transferred to a blue box which is labeled with the original order information.

No one ever works on more than one order at a time. Everything possible is done to ensure that no orders ever get mixed up.

The coins you send in are the coins you get back.

derryb

<< <i>How do you know you are getting back the coins you actually submitted? >>


With a sealed set how do you know which coins you actually submitted?

NewParadigm

D.W. is on his game today. Thanks

epcjimi1

<< <i>Every submission, 25th Anniversary or not, is carefully opened under video camera.

Each coin is removed from the packaging and laid out under the camera.

Each coin is then placed in a flip which is labeled with a unique number (the cert number). All labels are written and bar coded.

The entire submission is placed in it's own white box which is labeled with a unique order number.

No coins ever leave the box except one at a time while they are being graded by each grader.

Once graded the coins are sent to sealing where they are removed from the box and sealed in plastic holders. At that time they are transferred to a blue box which is labeled with the original order information.

No one ever works on more than one order at a time. Everything possible is done to ensure that no orders ever get mixed up.

The coins you send in are the coins you get back. >>



Don,

Thanks for the details / transparency of the grading process at PCGS.

I had no idea that the coins are placed in new flips. which kinda bothers me as any handling increases the chance of artifacts being added to the coin.

But, anyway, now I know that little bit more.

epcjimi1

Follow-up question -

Are coins removed from the flips they are placed in for grading?

-or-

do they remain in the flips by the graders for grading?

DonWillis

I had no idea that the coins are placed in new flips.

If the coins are received already in the proper type of flip they are not removed. Obviously this is impossible for coins arriving in mint sealed packages.


do they remain in the flips by the graders for grading?

The graders remove the coins from the flip for grading.

Before you ask the next question - the graders are experts at handling coins. They handle hundreds every day.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Before you ask the next question - the graders are experts at handling coins. They handle hundreds every day. >>







Now that's what I call a preemptive strike
I saw that coming as the next question too

dragon

I have a followup question.. I typically submit my coins in small poly bags folded over and then put into a large 2.5 X 2.5 soft flip. Will they go to the graders like that or removed and re-flipped?

DonWillis

I typically submit my coins in small poly bag


All coins go to the graders in standard PCGS flips. If they aren't in one when they come, we put them in one.

Ahrensdad

Don,
Thanks for a lesson on grading process.

Andrew

DonWillis

I typically submit my coins in small poly bag


All coins go to the graders in standard PCGS flips. If they aren't in one when they come, we put them in one.


Don't confuse how you ship your coins with how we process them once they get here. You should take every precaution to ensure that your coins are completely protected and will not move around when shipping. We receive a lot of coins that are loose and have been poorly packaged.

I recommend using the right kind of flips, a soft packaging envelope, and lots of bubble wrap.

Solo

<< <i>The entire submission is placed in it's own white box which is labeled with a unique order number. No coins ever leave the box except one at a time while they are being graded by each grader. >>


If that's the case could you please explain the picture of all the 25th ASE sets that was placed on your FB page? Were those empty boxes that are going to be returned or something else? I'm simply curious and would like to know more if you have the time to comment .

DonWillis

please explain the picture of all the 25th ASE sets that was placed on your FB page

Those were a small fragment of the hundreds of empty 25th Anniversary boxes that we have been asked to return.


edited to add: And yes they are separated and bound together by submission number.

dtkk49a

Don, Thank you for explaining the process. My 2 sets will be on thier way next week !