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New PCGS holders....thoughts?

So I've noticed a few members mention new "pronged" holders housing their new submissions, upon return. Did I miss an announcement, or is this a silent roll-in? Seems like the kind of thing that would be broadcast in a big announcement.
What do you all think of these new holders? I think they are really great from just about every angle (pun intended) except for photographing the coins, which will give similar results as the certain white prongs that show up in many photographs of other TPG holder photos. It will be interesting to see how the clear prongs show in photos, or if they do at all. May depend on lighting.
Overall, great idea, I've never seen the edges of many of my favorite coins and I've always been curious of the shape they are in.
What do you all think of these new holders? I think they are really great from just about every angle (pun intended) except for photographing the coins, which will give similar results as the certain white prongs that show up in many photographs of other TPG holder photos. It will be interesting to see how the clear prongs show in photos, or if they do at all. May depend on lighting.
Overall, great idea, I've never seen the edges of many of my favorite coins and I've always been curious of the shape they are in.
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Comments
<< <i>SHOULD be an option >>
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
Link to My Registry Set.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-specialty-sets/washington-quarters-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-1932-1964/publishedset/78469
Varieties Are The Spice Of LIFE and Thanks to Those who teach us what to search For.
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<< <i>SHOULD be an option >>
More like going for a regular 10W-40 oil change but getting Full Synthetic at no extra charge, IMHO.
EAC 6024
<< <i>should be optional,..........do not like >>
Remember, resistance is futile.
Lance.
They make pictures of coins ugly.
I like to talk pictures of coins.
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<< <i>should be optional,..........do not like >>
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<< <i>SHOULD be an option >>
Absolutely, 100% agree with Tom on this, especially with the Washies.
<< <i>The only prong PCGS holder I have houses a 1794 large cent from the Dan Holmes collection. The prongs are great because it allows me to see the edge lettering. If the new PCGS holders are like the one I have with clear prongs, it's better than then white prongs NGC uses. >>
Yes, it's great IF you have edged lettering you want/need/desire to 'view'. On a Washie, which my latest submission came back in, totally unexpected, they look awful. The prongs are not 'evenly' covering the coin, and as wassaid, they ARE bigger than those ATS. It may be an issue of them being clear, I don't know. But, now, do I have my entire set put in prong holders? I believe, placed side to side with a NON-pronged holder, the prong holders look lousy. I didn't like them when they came out ATS, like them even less in our hosts plastic.
Again, I don't mind them for/on, and would prefer them for/on, coins WITH edge lettering, but for coins without, it looks lousy. For those that have imaging talent, you will notice the unevenness of the prong as the coin is seated in it, not to mention, longer than those of ATS.
I agree with ambro and Tom...it SHOULD be an option..an option you should have to request. All coins should be graded without the pronged holder....if you want it, they ought to make up new forms, and put a 'check here if you want pronged holder', just like they do for varieties, . The Washies I received last week, quite honestly, looked lousy. Quite beneficial for edge lettered coins, I'll admit (and the ONLY coins that should be placed in them). What percentage of coins that were produced at the Mint, had edge lettering? Our hosts, and ATS, they should have a small % on hand for such coins, as most coins do NOT have edge lettering.
Not a fan...not by a long shot., and when they receive my re-holder for my Type B's sent in, an immediate call to CS will be made to see if I can get them into 'normal' ringed slabs...the same kind they've used for 25 years, with no complaints (you don't fix someething that isn't broken). My issue is, they never mentioned it, never took a 'poll', never got opinions. If they had, I'm sure the majority would have given edge lettered coins the thumbs-up for them, as it IS smat, in that you can see all 3 'sides' of the coin.... but non-edge lettered coins, nope. JMO.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
If PCGS failed to communicate this change in advance then that is a glaring oversight. Of course this is going to matter greatly to passionate collectors (the activity of the host's
message boards prove that). What choices if any we have is important. However, sudden or unannounced changes can really upset clients.
I do like the pronged holders but not so much on a trime or gold dollar.
purported 1896-O $ in a holder, you can avoid the fakes. I also assumed that the new gaskets were
being rolled out as old stock was used up, but I could be wrong on that.
btw...I sent in a 1795 LE 1/2 cent about 2 months ago or so. Came back in the "old" holder style...not pronged
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Ever notice how UGLY NGC pronged coins are in photographs? Now PCGS is following suit. A very sad day indeed.
What PCGS should have done is rather than mimicing NGC's really bad pronged holder design ... they should have mimic'd the state of the art design used by the USMint in their silver proof sets.
If you study a 2010 Silver Proof set, they use an ingenious system where the coins are pushed forward (upward) in the holder and held solidly against the plastic which reveals the ENTIRE RIM!!!! Without any PRONGS obstructing any portion of the coin or rim.
Take a look at these shots below (sorry they are blurry, I shot them with my iPHONE). The cool thing about this design (a design that PCGS SHOULD HAVE USED in a redesign of their slabs) the ENTIRE RIM is revealed even when looking straight down at the coin. (Check out those beautiful full wide rims on the dollar coin with a straight on view ... you dont get that with either a gasket system or a prong system).
Even the back view reveals the ENTIRE COIN and RIM (from a straight on view). (With a prong or gasket system, used by PCGS and NGC, some of the rim and coin are ALWAYS obscurred)
And from the side you can see the ENTIRE RIM in its full glory, with no obstruction what so ever. (With a prong system , there is still about 20% of the rim which is STILL OBSTRUCTED from a side view).
This is what PCGS SHOULD HAVE DONE!
Imagine seeing a Matte Proof Lincoln in a PCGS slab where you can see those extra wide razor sharp rims in their full glory!! Or be able to read ALL THE LETTERING on a Capped Bust Half (instead of just a few letters).
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My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
OOOHHHH, then the Pres MEL's come out. There are probably more GW MEL's graded than all the classic coins, which are worth MANY multiples of these GW's, where the edge lettering SHOULD be shown, combined (JUST the GW MEL....10's of thousands...., this is NOT including the MANY other different 'types' of Pres $$ errors, such as overlaping, doubled, etc, let's not forget about the NA dollars, MEL's and the other 'types' of striking errors on THOSE). Why would the TPG's worry about an ultra modern's edge being able to be seen (an MS65 GW MEL is worth, what now, under $100??), when there are a number of MUCH more important, WAAAAY more important/valuable coins, where the edge SHOULD be seen...where they should have ALWAYS been seen, and these are housed in solid rings. Why was there no action taken until these shiny, new discs (which noone likes anyway) came along?
Having seen them 'up close and personal', I do not like my Washington's in them at all. Think about it......why does a 2011 Roosie need to be in a pronged ring holder? So you can see the rim??? With an '11 Roosie, all you are caring about are the bands....whether thery are there or not.. Same for Jeffs and the steps. Coins with reeded edges (modern or not) just don't need to be, nor should they be, put in these pronged ring holders. I really have to say, I did NOT llike my Washies in them one bit....not one bit.
I agree with Tom..if they are willing to reholder for free, I'd do it just to keep the coins uniform. Those of you that can image coins quite professionally, I believe you will have a bigger problem with these. As an example why I say this....on all 3 of the Washies I got back, under a 5X loupe, noticed at least 2 of the prongs were 'uneven'. One end of the prong barely covered the rim, where the other end was so much longer, it was actually covering a part of the field.
Freom a manffacturing standpoint, we knoow they have the equipment to make these rings for any coin...why not jusr keep the solid rings, and once more of the pronged rings need ordering, they can be ordered??? I foresee this becoming a much more discussed topic, once these pronged rings are the ONLY type of rings hitting all the auction outlets, making their way to dealers inventories, etc. Again, as I said, I did not like the way my Washies looked in them one bit. Once my latest submission is logged in, I'll be calling CS to see if I can get them put into the original rings. My opinion is that those that collect moderns, or coins with reeded edges, coins that DON'T need these, are really not going to like these..while those that own coins that DO need//require these, are going to love them...but it needs to be an option, without a doubt.
JM2CW..... having had them in hand, under a 5X loupe ...well, I really think they make the coins not as attractive, or appealing, as the non-pronged rings. But, the general consensus was to get something for the MEL's.....works for those coins that warrant/need them, but for those that don't, there should be an option....JMO
<< <i>So I've noticed a few members mention new "pronged" holders housing their new submissions, upon return. Did I miss an announcement, or is this a silent roll-in? Seems like the kind of thing that would be broadcast in a big announcement.
What do you all think of these new holders? I think they are really great from just about every angle (pun intended) except for photographing the coins, which will give similar results as the certain white prongs that show up in many photographs of other TPG holder photos. It will be interesting to see how the clear prongs show in photos, or if they do at all. May depend on lighting.
Overall, great idea, I've never seen the edges of many of my favorite coins and I've always been curious of the shape they are in. >>
Here is one I just got back. I did quick images so they are only 7 out of 10.
I am only one of their customers, but I really really like them. From my understanding these are going to be status quo for all pcgs holders soon or maybe already.
The days of the non-pronged holder are over, fini, done. Get used to it folks....they are here to stay, forever.
<< <i>Since I collect minor coinage (Buffalo Nickels), the prongs yield no advantages. As a result, I prefer that PCGS not use them or at least give allow for a choice. >>
Shamika, that is one hope/request that will never be granted. No option. Get used to your Buff's in the 'tri-prong' holders.
I also wonder if using a prong type core would either increase or decrease the likelihood of a coin being accidentally fingerprinted or otherwise mishandled during the encapsulation process as opposed to the soft ring type core?
Regarding photography (which is of prime importance to Forum members), it seems to me that the gasket can be cropped out, losing very little of the coin image (much as is currently done when shooting the coins in their holder). Or, one can use the TrueView option, as I have often done, when getting a coin graded at PCGS.
By the way, I do not plan to get my older PCGS coins re-holdered with the new prong-style gaskets.
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
Link to My Registry Set.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-specialty-sets/washington-quarters-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-1932-1964/publishedset/78469
Varieties Are The Spice Of LIFE and Thanks to Those who teach us what to search For.
<< <i>I see no point at all in using a prong type holder for coins that do not have edge lettering or similar where being able to view the edge may be useful or desirable. Does anyone have any desire to be able to view a typical plain or reeded edge coin? I sure don't. >>
I do. I prefer to be able to evaluate (at least part of) the third side of a coin rather than it be hidden by a gasket.
<< <i>Show us a 45 degree macro view of the MPL rims in that holder >>
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
<< <i>I generally like the new PCGS prong holders, but I do not have a strong feeling about it. >>
Oh well. It will give the plastic collectors another addition to their slab type set.
PS...Having looked at the MPLL closeups... am I the only one who noticed all that extra plastic flash on the edges of the prongs? They might want to talk to quality control... that stuff could cause scratches.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I completely disagree with this. There has been no such marketing, and I have not heard anyone, even among the PCGS diehards, who is considering having coins regraded or reholdered for the prong holders. To suggest that this is a "revenue stream" is cynical and unfair, IMO.
If anything, it may be a response to the NGC prong holders, but I do not see great enthusiasm for those, either. In NGC's case, the thick plastic buried smaller coins, and they probably realized that something had to be done.
I think that for most of us, this represents a modest enhancement of the current design and not something to go crazy over (in either direction).
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<< <i>Show us a 45 degree macro view of the MPL rims in that holder >>
that lincoln 3 prong gasket is bad a$$
i had some 1960 d/d lg/sm dt but they didn't have the lincoln cent size at that time when i submitted and requested 3 prong, ugh so jealous
now i gotta find some lincolns to submit!
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