What is the cheapest way to get varieties graded?

DMWJR

I have a number of duplicates that are raw that I thought about getting holdered. The daunting thing for me is cost, since these are not expensive coins. They are primarily 1900 to present varieties in all denominations. I also have about 100 Morgan VAMs that should be holdered as well.

Anyone care to share?

cheezhed

I'm not sure it would be wise to recommend a competitor on PCGS' own board.

DMWJR

I meant within the realm of PCGS submissions, not another grading service. I don't know how you inferred that from my initial post.

TwoSides2aCoin

astrorat

<< <i>I meant within the realm of PCGS submissions, not another grading service. I don't know how you inferred that from my initial post. >>

It's because you asked the question, "What is the cheapest way to get varieties graded?" Not the cheapest way to have PCGS grade varieties. Your post also contains no reference to PCGS. The inference was logical.

Regarding expense ... some varieties are attributed as part of the normal submission process (depending on whether or not the variety has a PCGS number). Grading other varieties will have an additional fee. Since you may not have enough coins (or the right kind of coins) for a bulk submission, it looks like the way to be the most economical is to use the economy speed of submission. Unfortunately, it will be expensive with that many coins. Perhaps contacting PCGS customer service to see if there is a special submission price for a large number of VAMS ... you never know what might be available.

fcloud

Depending on what you have. The varieties listed in the Red Book get graded without paying the attribution fee.

Here are a couple examples.
1960-D/D Small Over Large Date
1972 Double Die Obverse

1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel

1942/41 Mercury Dime
1942/41-D Mercury Dime
1945-S Micro S

There are many many more.

You can mix regular coins and variety coins on the form, and only pay the attribution fees for the varieties in which require the fee.

DennisH

You're looking for a way around the $24/coin attribution cost, plus either the grading fee for raw coins or the $10/coin reholdering fee for coins already in PCGS holders, right?

Let me know if you find any, because I've been doing this since before they started doing VAMs and I'm still looking.

This is the huge reason why more common varieties and/or varieties in lower grades, are not going into PCGS holders... the cost of putting them there often exceeds any variety premium they carry.

DMWJR

Thanks Dennis. Yes, I was looking to see what was the cheapest route through the PCGS system. This is not about other TPG's or regular varieties that they do without an attribution charge.

19Lyds

The cheapest route through PCGS is via a normal submission (Regular/Modern) and then selecting the $24 Variety Attribution Fee. Variety Attribution DOES NOT have to be for the entire submission but can be for selected coins.

Thats the cheapest route.

It gets expensive when PCGS does not agree with your attribution.

It gets expensive to submit already slabbed coins for attribution when the $10 reholder fee gets tossed in.

19Lyds

<< <i>I'm not sure it would be wise to recommend a competitor on PCGS' own board. >>

Why not?

We're not supposed to speak badly about them does that mean we cannot praise them as well?

ANACS is fairly inexpensive. I have no idea about ICG or NGC.

DMWJR

Hey, it gets expense when you submit through regular service w/attribution, and they attribute it and grade it "genuine." Ask me how I know ...

Sometimes I will submit a coin without requesting attribution, and then if I agree with the grade, I will resubmit and gladly pay the $10 reholder fee. Saving them up and handing them to PCGS at a show also saves substantial postage and insurance on coins like this as well. I usually go to at least one show a year, and 99% of my submission are not time sensitive.

Caleb

<< <i>What is the cheapest way to get varieties graded? >>



We use the modern submission for $14 per coin to get them graded.

Then we send them to Dr. Wiles for attribution ($7 per coin for CONECA members or $8 per coin for non members for Kennedy & Ike dollars - $5 and $6 for other denominations). Dr Wiles will list his notes by the certification number on the slab. If the variety is one that is not in the Cherrypickers' Guide, Dr. Wiles will tell you which variety it is, not just "Minor Variety"

See the set linked in my sig line.

You could pay PCGS thier $24 fee for attribution but if the variety is not listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide, they will keep your money and just have the words "minor Variety" added to the label with a "V" in front of the coin number so you still might be guessing which varity it actually was. By using CONECA (Dr. Wiles) the guessing is removed plus it is cheaper

EDITED TO ADD: In all fairness to PCGS, for the $24 they charge for the service, you are buying the guarantee that comes with it. CONECA through Dr. Wiles has no monitorial or buy back guarantee.

Barry

There's no reason to slab low value coins. Put them in 2x2's and write your own grade and attribution on them.

DennisH

Caleb: The Modern option only works for coins made from 1955 to present.

Type2

Don't know that is why I have so many some day boxs.

WaterSport

Doug, you been there, done that! If there was another way, we would have figured it out by now. I think PCGS needs to understand they are LOSING business by the extortion cost of doing low graded varieties and vams. The problem is, on the buyers side, no one really takes into account that a variety coin in PCGS plastic, and I do mean, just in PCGS plastic, should be valued at a minimum of $75. Don't give me that buy the coin, not the plastic crap either. I am talking about even if a person has the coin, its still going to run them $75 to get it variety attributed, but no one wants to consider that when offering a variety at $50 or less despite the fact they are buying very scarce coin. With that said, go to an ANACS and those who are just in the collecting varieties will at least cover your slab fees.

WS

Caleb

<< <i>Caleb: The Modern option only works for coins made from 1955 to present. >>



Yes. With Kennedy half dollars, we don't have to worry about the different levels because 1964 is the oldest and the "Modern" level is all that we need. for older coins, the "Economy" level will run you $18 per coin. But either way, CONECA charges less to verify the variety or list a new one, none of this "Minor Variety" stuff - take your money and not tell you which variety it is.

JMHO

panther

keyman64

Another way to save money....wait until you go to a show that PCGS accepts submissions at and then you do not have to pay anything for shipping to get the coins to them. You can also use a voucher when you renew your membership (I think there is a small discount on grading for a certain number of coins based on the subscription level).

There's two ways that could help a little.