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Safest way to have your coins graded?
jdsueu
Posts: 120 ✭✭
I am nervous about sending lots of coins through the mail with careless USPS workers at the helm. Very nervous. Cani get them graded by PCGS or NGC by driving them somewhere? I don't mind as much getting them shipped back - NGC has always done a great job but I am worried about the trip there.
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If you follow the instructions on the PCGS website, you should personally mail the coins in via registered and insured mail. It'll cost around $25 and you insure the package for your declared value of the coins. Registered mail is safer than other mail services because it must be signed for by designated postal employees at each stage of the process. It gets special treatment and extra attention. But, to get these signatures, it will take a little longer to get there. I think my last submission took 10 days to get there. But it's safe if you insure it. I think with registered mail, you can insure for a maximum of $25,000. I don't know what people do for shipping in coins worth above that amount.
www.brunkauctions.com
Let me tell you what is supposed to happen with registered mail and my experience.
The box has to be sealed and stamped with a special tape that is used for registered mail. Each corner is stamped and you can insure for up to $30k.
Last two times at the post office some PO worker with long nails sticks it in the box I have. She doesn't seal it and says she will get to it later and not to worry. There is like 20k in the box and it's not even sealed. I stressed out about it let me tell you. The two times before that they didn't have the tape and said they couldn't mail it unless I bought the tape myself. Nice good luck trying to find it both stores were out. What kind of post office is out of tape. Finally, the insurance good luck making a claim coins are a tricky claim no matter what you insure it for you might only get the value of the metal especially if it isn't yet graded or appraised.
So, I feel much better driving it.
them to a show than losing them in a shipment to PCGS.
Pack the coins carefully so as to have to rattle or noise. Then pack them in a box within a box and send them off.
I cannot imagine the coins not arriving at PCGS when done this way.
bob
You gotta trust somebody.
<< <i>If your worried about getting them there but not so much having them shipped back... Attend a major show and submit your coins in person. >>
Broadstruck is correct. That's the only solution to alleviate NSS(Numismatic Shipping Syndrome)
Iv got a 60k dollar piece I would like to have reholder currently, I will just take it to Baltimore and drop it of my self next show
jim
<< <i>
<< <i>If your worried about getting them there but not so much having them shipped back... Attend a major show and submit your coins in person. >>
Broadstruck is correct. That's the only solution to alleviate NSS(Numismatic Shipping Syndrome) >>
Tell that to George Zip!
<< <i>Let me tell you what is supposed to happen with registered mail and my experience.
The box has to be sealed and stamped with a special tape that is used for registered mail. Each corner is stamped and you can insure for up to $30k.
Last two times at the post office some PO worker with long nails sticks it in the box I have. She doesn't seal it and says she will get to it later and not to worry. There is like 20k in the box and it's not even sealed. I stressed out about it let me tell you. The two times before that they didn't have the tape and said they couldn't mail it unless I bought the tape myself. Nice good luck trying to find it both stores were out. What kind of post office is out of tape. Finally, the insurance good luck making a claim coins are a tricky claim no matter what you insure it for you might only get the value of the metal especially if it isn't yet graded or appraised.
So, I feel much better driving it. >>
First, if that is true, you don't leave your box at the post office under those conditions. You use common sense.
Second, tape the box up before you go to the post office. With registered mail, the only requirement is that the tape have a paper surface that a cancelation stamp will adhere to because they stamp all over the box on every piece of tape to they can be sure it's not tampered. You can buy the tape at Walgreens, Walmart, Target, CVS, Office Depot, etc. The post office isn't responsible for packaging your coins. You are.
When I submitted earlier this year, I had concerns about sending valuable coins through registered mail. So I called PCGS. They said that they make careful note whether the packages they receive have been tampered with and they refuse acceptance and won't sign for it if tampered. Then the post office must return it to you and you can file the claim when it returns to you tampered as it's only been in the post office's hands.
<< <i>The post office isn't responsible for packaging your coins. You are. >>
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Why not drive them there and hand deliver? >>
Or fly 'em in yourself;
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<< <i>Let me tell you what is supposed to happen with registered mail and my experience.
The box has to be sealed and stamped with a special tape that is used for registered mail. Each corner is stamped and you can insure for up to $30k.
Last two times at the post office some PO worker with long nails sticks it in the box I have. She doesn't seal it and says she will get to it later and not to worry. There is like 20k in the box and it's not even sealed. I stressed out about it let me tell you. The two times before that they didn't have the tape and said they couldn't mail it unless I bought the tape myself. Nice good luck trying to find it both stores were out. What kind of post office is out of tape. Finally, the insurance good luck making a claim coins are a tricky claim no matter what you insure it for you might only get the value of the metal especially if it isn't yet graded or appraised.
So, I feel much better driving it. >>
If you're in no hurry, registered mail is the way to go. Glued back brown paper tape is available at Staples and on-line and like all shipments you are supposed to have it packed and ready to go when you get to the PO counter. PO clerks are not supposed to do the packaging and any that do it for you are doing you a favor and slowing me down if I'm in line behind you. You will need to have the 4" X 4" white Post Office form 3806 filled out with a declared value. Shipment will automatically be insured for the declared value on the form up to $50K (recent change). Insurance will be built into the final shipping charge (recent change). If package is under 13 oz. specify "First Class Registered." Anything over 13 oz. is required to go Priority Registered because of the weight and Priority is optional, and more expensive, for anything under 13 oz. First Class or Registered makes no difference on the travel time of the shipment so always choose First Class Registered when you can. You can save a little by verbally specifying "Electronic Return Receipt" instead of using the signature confirmation form. After delivery, you are anyone else can, using the included tracking number view a PDF of the receiving signature. You can also go to USPS tracking site and sign up to be notified by email each time tracking is updated. Electronic Return Receipt also satisfies Ebay/Paypal requirements for signature confirmation. You can track the shipment on-line (PO often slow to update). For heavier shipments you can also take advantage of Flat Rate shipping boxes/prices but you still need to use the brown paper tape to send them Registered. All registered packages must have all exposed edges sealed with the tape. Paper tape is required because plastic tape cannot be stamped with the required tamper proof PO seal that the clerk applies at the counter.
My PO friend tells me that all registered packages have to be signed for by every PO employee that handles them and that loss of a registered package usually results in someone losing their job. I have shipped hundreds of them and have never had a problem. If you are shipping registered to a customer it is important that your customer knows registered is slow (normally 5-10 days) and that the PO is often slow to update registered tracking.
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never had any problems !!! :-)
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
So don't go criticizing them for "not having tape".
It is YOU who appears to not have the tape etc.
Your fears seem very irrational.
Good luck! I mean it.
<< <i>Last two times at the post office some PO worker with long nails sticks it in the box I have. She doesn't seal it and says she will get to it later and not to worry. There is like 20k in the box and it's not even sealed. I stressed out about it let me tell you. The two times before that they didn't have the tape and said they couldn't mail it unless I bought the tape myself. Nice good luck trying to find it both stores were out. What kind of post office is out of tape. >>
I don't understand why anyone would let the PO pack and seal the box.
I'm not sure if it is exactly within the rules but I never used the special tape. I tape the box up with normal tape. Then take a brown paper shopping bag and use the paper to wrap it and use some elmers glue on my already taped box and wrap it like a gift but glue the brown paper on the box neatly. Never had a problem and did it that way when I have coins graded. I bring it in and fill out the registered form. The PO seems happy as long as the box is sealed with something brown that they can easily stamp on the already sealed seams.
Just be sure they stamp the form and give you back your copy and keep it.
Paper tape is availible at Office Depot and Staples.
A $9 roll with 375 feet will last you a lifetime.
All seams must be sealed with paper tape.
You pack and seal your package at home, fill out the form and then take it to the post office.
Amazingly, almost all the Clerks are willing to oblige, even when the line of folks waiting to mail their properly packaged items is stretching out the door.
I gave this, in the sealed box from the Mint, to the PCGS customer service rep. at the Portland Show a few years ago.