When did PCGS stop providing the "Designation Review" service?

MrEureka

I recently submitted a couple of coins for Designation Review and was told the service no longer exists. So if you have an MS coin that is graded PR, or vice versa, how would you go about getting it fixed?

RogerB

Well.....an pencil eraser will take care of that shiny stuff.... But - if that doesn't work maybe asking for a re-holder would do the trick?

Seems like an awfully simple thing for the TPG to do....

mvs7

Take the approach that you are clearly right in the designation change, and submit it as a mechanical error?

zas107

I think they changed that when reconsideration service started being offered. If you have a MS coin that is graded PR or vice versa send it in for mechanical error service.

messydesk

As far as I know, designation review was for stuff like cameo, FBL, FB, etc. Obvious MS vs. PR stuff is mechanical error. Controversial MS vs. PR stuff (late Shield nickels, for example) would probably be regrade or reconsideration.

tradedollarnut

Post on the forum and make sure they see it...

cameonut2011

Reconsideration or regrade when close or subjective. For obvious cases, call and ask whether they will correct it as a mechanical error.

keets

I believe the "designation review" was phased out over 10 years ago, probably around 2005-6, it has been a really long time. I seem to remember as others have mentioned, the "designation" is the grade suffix which relates to one of the many strike qualifiers like Full Bands/Full Bell lines/Full Steps/Cameo/Deep Cameo/Proof-like. prior to the change, the rationale was that the numerical grade and the designation were separate, the change essentially meant that the numerical grade and the designation were the actual grade.

from that point you couldn't ask PCGS to review a "Cameo" and change it to a "Deep Cameo" without risking it going from a 69 to a 68.

leothelyon

I thought Reconsideration was if you wanted to keep the old Green label meaning they won't crack it unless it upgrades.
So....submitting through the Reconsideration service is not for reviewing a designation?

PCGS Reconsideration is your opportunity to resubmit for a possible better grade without the risk of losing your original label. The coin is graded by PCGS while remaining inside of the original holder. It is not removed from the holder unless in the opinion of the grader, the coin meets your selected upgrade preference (select one of the four specifications below):

Upgrade by one full numeric point (default) Example: (MS64 to MS65)
Upgrade by Plus Grade ONLY. Example: (AU58 to AU58+, AU58 will not upgrade to MS60)
Upgrade by Suffix. Example: (PL, DMPL, Cameo etc.)
Any – Any upgrade. Example: (PL to DMPL, AU58 to AU58+ or MS60, MS64 to MS65, MS62 to MS62+)

This program is a win-win for collectors. You keep your original holder if your coin doesn’t upgrade; if it does upgrade, your coin receives a higher grade and fresh labeling.

lkeigwin

@MrEureka said:
I recently submitted a couple of coins for Designation Review and was told the service no longer exists. So if you have an MS coin that is graded PR, or vice versa, how would you go about getting it fixed?

Mechanical error. Contact Stephanie Zamarripa, AZamarripa@collectors.com, and she'll take care of it.
Lance.

leothelyon

@lkeigwin said:

@MrEureka said:
I recently submitted a couple of coins for Designation Review and was told the service no longer exists. So if you have an MS coin that is graded PR, or vice versa, how would you go about getting it fixed?

Mechanical error. Contact Stephanie Zamarripa, AZamarripa@collectors.com, and she'll take care of it.
Lance.

I think he located a certified coin that was mistaken to be a MS coin and wants to have the coin reviewed and the suffix changed if they agree with him.

lkeigwin

If a proof was graded as a business strike, or vice versa, the mechanical route is still the way to go. A quick email to confirm this wouldn't hurt.

I'm not sure how it would be handled, cost-wise, if it is determined that there was no error. Of the dozen mechanicals I have submitted the errors were always fixed at no cost, including shipping both ways.
Lance.

MrEureka

FWIW, I had already submitted the slabs for "Designation Review". Whomever handled the order at PCGS was confused by that and changed it to "Restoration". Fortunately, I noticed that online before anything was done to the coins, and I called them. After explaining the situation, they suggested that the order be changed to "Mechanical Error", which made some sense. But now the order appears online as a "Regular" grading submission. It will be interesting to see how the coins actually get handled.

keets

**But now the order appears..................... **

I am left with considering that there are troubles in the PCGS Customer Service department and perhaps elsewhere. it is understandable considering the recent relocation and perhaps the addition of new employees. I currently have a submission with problems that date back to November and the "Mechanical Error" tag is where it is currently mired. TV's have been up since 1/29 but now I am waiting for movement --- more than a week later.

ilikemonsters

Does the "Upgrade by Suffix" option fall under the different designations such as FH, FB, FBL and FS? If it does not, I better be calling PCGS as i'm in the wrong!

georgiacop50

@lkeigwin said:
If a proof was graded as a business strike, or vice versa, the mechanical route is still the way to go. A quick email to confirm this wouldn't hurt.

WHAT? You mean to tell me that they actually REPLY to your emails?!?

lkeigwin

Yeah, but only when I write to an individual directly.

Here's a great contact in customer service, who also handles mechanicals: Alma (Stephanie) S. Zamarripa, AZamarripa@collectors.com
Lance.