Variety attribution - TrueViews are in - I won't quit my day job (QDO only...pop ONE!)

oih82w8 · August 27, 2015 1:02AM

I sent in four coins for variety attribution and trueview (Secure Plus), so far three of four have been attributed to what I identified, but one has not been identified (yet), subject to revision. I seen a previous thread about misattribution, not identifying the variety and the goat-rope of getting it resubmitted and the back side pain involved. I am going to give them a call later today and ask for a "revisit" prior to shipping them back to me. The TrueViews have not posted yet, but my Certification numbers have been updated (well, three of four so far). The variety is obvious to me at least, which brings up the question;

Does PCGS have Variety Attribution specialists or just a couple of people and a cherrypicker guide (an other reference material)?

1936-S San Diego Commemorative QDO & RPM FS-101

Pick Up Points are Quadrupling on the bottoms of LIBERTY and Repunched Mint Mark to the North. Minor doubling on HALF DOLLAR is also present.

DennisH · August 27, 2015 1:16AM

My presumption has always been that there's just one (now two) people doing attributions... the first guy who is really, really good and a newer person.

WaterSport · August 27, 2015 2:41AM

Thats my understanding also.

WS

StrikeOutXXX · August 27, 2015 2:46AM

<< Thats my understanding also.

WS >>

I think it's just Steve Poliquin and one other one.

oih82w8 · August 27, 2015 3:28AM

I just called PCGS Customer Service, and she said that my order was still in variety attribution. It guess it would make sense since it was the last of four cons on my order, if they were going sequentially.

I'll check back tomorrow.

Browe · August 27, 2015 4:14AM

<< I just called PCGS Customer Service, and she said that my order was still in variety attribution. It guess it would make sense since it was the last of four cons on my order, if they were going sequentially.

I'll check back tomorrow. >>

I'm currently in the same limbo as you. I have 10 currently submitted, but as of today only 6/10 have been attributed in my queue, but my entire order is still "In Progress". Naturally, they saved the most difficult ones to attribute last

oih82w8 · August 27, 2015 5:04AM

<< ...Naturally, they saved the most difficult ones to attribute last

>>

Images added to the OP, just in case you would like to weigh in on your opinion.

JCLIGHTBRIGADE · August 27, 2015 5:50AM

Here's a question to go along with the same topic: Does the attributer also grade the coin, or is it graded first then attributed?

oih82w8 · August 27, 2015 6:07AM

I would presume that the graders come in first, then attribution since there is one or two attributors and the coin goes through at least two or three graders.

Which comes first? Probably the grading process.

DennisH · August 27, 2015 6:13AM

I presume that all 4 varieties you sent in are varieties that PCGS attributes? Many collectors assume that PCGS does all varieties, which is far, far from the case.

oih82w8 · August 27, 2015 6:20AM

<< I presume that all 4 varieties you sent in are varieties that PCGS attributes? Many collectors assume that PCGS does all varieties, which is far, far from the case. >>

Yes, it would be a waste of time and money otherwise...this particular one would be 1936-D/D 50C QDO & RPM FS-101 San Diego (PCGS # 511604)

1936-D/D 50C QDO & RPM FS-101 San Diego (Regular Strike)

The other three have been attributed.

oih82w8 · August 28, 2015 10:04AM

I called customer service again today (Stephanie) and she said that it was still in the variety attribution area and the results will be posted when they are finished. I emphasized that three of the four have been attributed already, she told me that the order was in process and the results will be posted when they are finished. I am finding it hard to believe that three of the four have been attributed and the fourth is still "awaiting action" after two full days...unless something happened behind the scenes; a priority order or (heaven forbid) the coin was dropped/damaged in the process. She bid me a "have a good weekend" and I replied that I am going to be worried all weekend wondering what happened. She reassured me that nothing has happened and sometimes orders do get sidelined for one reason or another.

Hmph.

DennisH · August 28, 2015 10:59AM

I can tell you from experience that sometimes very key, or very difficult to attribute, varieties are sometimes shown to outside experts for confirmation. This may or may not be the case with your coin, but it does occasionally happen with Morgan dollars.

oih82w8 · August 31, 2015 2:05AM

This particular variety is documented in the CPG, but there no images yet on CoinFacts, mine should be the first on the page with one graded higher at MS67.

When Phil does his magic on imaging it should be painfully obvious.

LanceNewmanOCC · August 31, 2015 2:17AM

<< Many collectors assume that PCGS does all varieties, which is far, far from the case. >>

and nets them some healthy profit in the process w/o the submitter getting anything but a sore spot.

would be awesome to have a page of ONLY an actual list. seems php or something could do this easily. when removed from the pops, it moves off the list automatically.

the pops and attrib list are nice and all but.....

doing that job would be awesome!
.

oih82w8 · August 31, 2015 2:54AM

I have seen some PCGS labels that had "Minor Variety" with DDO & MPD, probably to justify the fee that they acquired.

1844 $1 Double Die Obverse & Mis(s) Placed Date VF35 PCGS. Minor Variety.

Pick Up Points: Doubling on the viewers right side of the shield and horizontal & vertical lines, Misplaced Digit in the Gown and Misplaced Digit in the Denticles. Also noted (but not attributed) is the RPD (8)

oih82w8 · September 1, 2015 6:05AM

Four (business) days stuck in the variety attribution cue? Something is amiss, but Customer Service isn't saying anything other than it is in the variety attribution cue.

LanceNewmanOCC · September 1, 2015 6:28AM

<< probably to justify the fee that they acquired. >>

and from enormous submitter pressure to get some acknowledgement of their (non-pcgs-listable) varieties/marriages.

some varieties in the minor camp are insulting as such but better than being ignored altogether?

i haven't come across anything that anacs wouldnt/couldnt attribute. just saying for those with coins that want a reputable tpg for coins pcgs/ngc dont attribute, yet.

.

blu62vette · September 1, 2015 8:50AM

<< Four (business) days stuck in the variety attribution cue? Something is amiss, but Customer Service isn't saying anything other than it is in the variety attribution cue.

>>

This don't not seem abnormal to me.

oih82w8 · September 3, 2015 8:48AM

Now that the PCGS Vegas Show is going on this weekend, more than likely all of the PCGS talent will be "out of the office". 6 business days stuck in que.

oih82w8 · September 8, 2015 10:04PM

What is strange is that three of the four have been attributed (certification number lookup has been updated to reflect this) and I am for sure certain that the remaining coin is a recognized PCGS variety (see OP). Phone calls to customer service don't help, neither do email inquiries. No TrueView images available yet, and probably will not get accomplished due to be stuck in queue.

Welcome to Wednesday.

keyman64 · September 8, 2015 10:46PM

I just heard back yesterday that a variety I sent in did NOT get the variety attribution it deserved, FS-101. It now has to go back to again.

oih82w8 · September 8, 2015 10:50PM

<< I just heard back yesterday that a variety I sent in did NOT get the variety attribution it deserved, FS-101. It now has to go back to again.

>>

^^^ This is what I am trying to avoid! ^^^

keyman64 · September 8, 2015 11:50PM

The best way to avoid it is to write a very long note, describing each fact of how it matches what is in the CPG. Then attach high res photos of the CPG and your coin. Then reference a CoinFacts photo that shows the same. Then write them a note and ask them to please call you if there is any perceived issue rather than send it back unattributed. When I have done this, I have never had a problem!

The problem I had yesterday was for a coin that I sent to Great Collections raw, asked them to send the coin to the TPG for grading and attribution. Great Collections does not have an hour to spend on writing a note and attaching photos etc for an attribution and I understand that....so I had to inform Great Collections that it is indeed the variety and that they will have to send it back to the TPG for correction. I had to do this with a coin last year where it required 3 trips to the TPG in order for it to become correctly attributed. That time it was a Mercury Dime. This time it is a Proof Washington Quarter. I think on the 3rd time last year with the Mercury Dime, Great Collections wrote a note to draw some attention to the problem.

Good luck! If you do what I normally do when I send in coins, I think you will minimize any potential challenges.

oih82w8 · September 9, 2015 12:13AM

I was not that thorough in my description. Although I do use the Note section on the submission form to identify the variety and have good results...so far. This is what started the thread asking if they had specialists for Variety Attribution, other than the CherryPickers Guide and other variety reference material;

"PCGS recognizes the following varieties:
◦Half Cents (1793-1857) by Cohen numbers
◦Large Cents (1793-1814) by Sheldon numbers
◦Large Cents (1816-1857) by Newcomb numbers
◦Half Dimes (1794-1837) by Logan/McCloskey numbers
◦Dimes (1796-1837) by John Reich Society numbers
◦NEW Liberty Seated Dimes (1837-1891) by Fortin numbers
◦Quarter Dollars (1796-1838) by Browning numbers
◦Half Dollars (1794-1836) by Overton numbers
◦Capped Bust Reeded Edge Half Dollars (1936 – 1939) by the Dick Graham (GR) numbers
◦Liberty Seated Half Dollars by Wiley-Bugert (WB) number
◦Dollars (1794-1804) by Bolender and Bowers/Borckardt numbers
◦Morgan and Peace Dollars (1878-1935) by VAM numbers (Includes TOP 100, HOT 50, and Hit List 40; see list)
◦Gold Quarter Eagles, Half Eagles and Eagles (1795-1834) by Bass/Dannreuther numbers
◦Fivaz-Stanton Varieties from the Cherrypickers Guide, Fourth Edition Vol. II and Fifth Edition Vol. I (see list for exclusions)"

PCGS Variety FAQ

They are supposed to be open now (0700 - 1700 PST), time to make another call and update my "paper trail".

oih82w8 · September 9, 2015 12:41AM

I had to let the customer service representative go, since he was talking in circles stating that "it was my speculation on the variety of the coin and it will handled by a variety attribution specialist and their results will be known upon completion of the order".

I really find it disturbing to be dismissed as such.

Browe · September 9, 2015 2:56AM

Sadly I'm still waiting as well. Same 4 have not been updated since my original posts on August 27th. Maybe it's just the show + holiday weekend. In regards to receiving a coin unattributed, I have found it beneficial to call them immediately once grades were posted, and request that the attributers take a second look. I've had this happen 3 times in the past year, and they've all come back properly attributed the second time around before being shipped to me. Good Luck!!

oih82w8 · September 9, 2015 3:11AM

I will definitely keep that in mind...Thanks, Browe!

My wife is gonna raise a question when she sees the PCGS Customer Service phone number that I called so many times on my phone call log.

..."It's Jake from State Farm".

oih82w8 · September 9, 2015 10:25PM

When the TrueViews do come out, hopefully those can be the litmus test to "see" if it truly is the FS-101.

While PCGS does not have an image of the FS-101 (yet), NGC does have some in NGC VarietyPlus listed as RPM D/D FS-501 (although they have added the LIBERTY Quadrupling of the FS-101);

1936-D/D FS-501 plus LIBERTY QDO

oih82w8 · September 12, 2015 3:09AM

The suspense is really eating at me...another week down with no additional movement. I am really irritated...so bad I had to put another coin on "lay-a-way".

winky · September 12, 2015 9:56AM

<< Sadly I'm still waiting as well. Same 4 have not been updated since my original posts on August 27th. Maybe it's just the show + holiday weekend. In regards to receiving a coin unattributed, I have found it beneficial to call them immediately once grades were posted, and request that the attributers take a second look. I've had this happen 3 times in the past year, and they've all come back properly attributed the second time around before being shipped to me. Good Luck!! >>

Mine has been sitting since 8-24-15 with no luck.

oih82w8 · September 18, 2015 5:27AM

I just got off the phone with customer service, and her first response was that imaging was backed up. I asked her if my submission left the variety attribution room...she paused...and said that they were in attribution room. "For three weeks?", I asked her. There was another pause...then she said that they were really backed up due to the major coin shows that PCGS was attending and my order would processed as fast as it could. I asked if there was a problem with the order. She replied that if there was a problem there would be a note placed on the order identifying such. Sounds like there needs to be some new lines in the customer service script for questions that are asked. I should be grateful that it does not take up to a year like some world coins do.

Until next week on this subject...

koynekwest · September 18, 2015 8:45AM

I, too just got off the phone about an inquiry concerning the attribution by PCGS of some of the new listings in the about to be published CPG. I don't think she knew what I was talking about.

JCLIGHTBRIGADE · September 19, 2015 2:06AM

lordmarcovan · September 19, 2015 4:47AM

I wouldn't know about the variety attribution and might not even care that much about it anyway, but that's a lovely looking SD half, regardless.

buffnut · September 19, 2015 12:11PM

I had some similar frustration with variety attribution. Persistence with calling them and asking for additional review finally paid off, however it was still a hassle:

The 3 1/2 leg buffalo nickel saga, UPDATED

jdimmick · September 19, 2015 11:49PM

I frequently send several buffalos in for a customer of mine that need attribution , stuff like 3 1/2 leg 2 feathers , ddo's (not the 16) etc. It usually takes about 2 weeks on avg longer than the normal time for that particular service. I never send anything of mine along with his unless I don't need it back for a some time

The normal turn around times lately have seem to be quite fast.

oih82w8 · September 23, 2015 4:11AM

TrueViews are in - may I have another set of eyes on this before it leaves their facility so I can get it reconsidered...if need be.

1936-D San Diego Commemorative Half - QDO & RPM FS-101

Click on the image to enlarge

then

Download Full Size Image

Pick-up points; inside the loops of B and R of LIBERTY along with the bottoms of the letters of LIBERTY. The RePunched Mint Mark to the South of the original.

oih82w8 · September 23, 2015 5:10AM

<< My presumption has always been that there's just one (now two) people doing attributions... the first guy who is really, really good and a newer person. >>

I must have gotten the newer person then, who is afraid to ask for another opinion

It is still painfully obvious to me!

keyman64 · September 23, 2015 5:26AM

<< TrueViews are in - may I have another set of eyes on this before it leaves their facility so I can get it reconsidered...if need be.

1936-D San Diego Commemorative Half - QDO & RPM FS-101

Click on the image to enlarge

then

Download Full Size Image

Pick-up points; inside the loops of B and R of LIBERTY along with the bottoms of the letters of LIBERTY. The RePunched Mint Mark to the South of the original. >>

Call them and refer them to this thread, the pick up points and their own photo of the coin.

oih82w8 · September 23, 2015 5:48AM

Contacted Customer Service and it is still in house and will be reevaluated...at least they are TrueViewed...lookin' good!

georgiacop50 · September 23, 2015 8:25AM

I am seeing the CPG variety markers on your coin.

BUT...I dont see the variety in the PCGS POP report, nor the PCGS price guide, nor the Commem. Variety Registry Set.

So I am guessing that the problem is that PCGS has not given the Variety a coin number as yet. Yours is the first they have seen?

oih82w8 · September 23, 2015 8:36AM

No, it won't be the first, there are five others (at this time);

1936-D/D 50C QDO & RPM FS-101 San Diego (Regular Strike)

ricko · September 23, 2015 11:11PM

Stress is a killer..... try to relax.....

Cheers, RickO

oih82w8 · September 23, 2015 11:37PM

woo-sah (massaging earlobes)...woo-sah (massaging earlobes)...woo-sah (massaging earlobes) (Bad Boys II reference to stress management)

...at least I got their attention before it left the premises.

oih82w8 · October 2, 2015 9:09AM

Update: I received the coins today and they got the attribution "partially"...the QDO is there, but not the RPM which resulted in a "Minor Variety" instead of FS-101. The Customer Service representative sent me the instructions to have it resubmitted for another evaluation.

Why the fuss? Minor Variety = little to no value increase. FS-101 = almost double in value.

georgiacop50 · October 2, 2015 9:49AM

Ah feels yo pain

oih82w8 · October 14, 2015 7:46AM

Sigh...I got it back today...no change...and a sticker stating "coin ok as is send it back".

I guess my day job is safe. I have not heard of just the QDO on the San Diego Commem...population...ONE!

keyman64 · October 14, 2015 7:55AM

They messed it up again?

You should get at least 10 free (variety included) vouchers just for the trouble.

oih82w8 · October 14, 2015 8:01AM

I probably need to find an "expert" to provide some form of documentation to supply the Variety Attributer Room...

jesbroken · October 14, 2015 8:21AM

Well, I have learned one thing from all this......I will never send a coin in for attribution and go
through that bull. Almost as bad as pairing a phone with the auto computer. lol
Jim

Variety attribution - TrueViews are in - I won't quit my day job (QDO only...pop ONE!)

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