PCGS slab - are custom holder labels an option? A question and a short story about a family coin

historybuff

So, I have a short background story then my question - my Great-grandfather many years ago had a coin collection (he lived in Reading Pennsylvania). There was no written documentation of what was in the collection, but when his son (my grandfather) was still alive, I would ask him what he remembered about his dad's collection. My grandfather was not a coin guy, but he remembered a number of very early coins, and quite a few gold coins. My Great-grandfather died around 1936. My grandfather was still a teenager at that time, and his mother ended up selling off the more valuable pieces, as well as gold pieces, little by little over the years, to help pay the bills. I believe the gold went pretty much right away after his death.

By the time my dad was about 9 or 10 (around 1952 or so), my grandfather sold (unfortunately) what was left of the collection to local coin dealers. Before he did so, he told my dad to pick out one coin to keep. My dad picked the oldest coin he could find, which (we learned much later) was a 1787 New Jersey Cent struck over a Connecticut cent. My dad was so proud of this coin that he took it to school for show and tell. After school he went to play football in a field, and lost the coin and he was devastated. Fast forward to the 1970's when I was a kid. My dad never forgot the coin, so he bought a metal detector to search for it, and generally for something to do to have fun. He remembered roughly where he lost it. So after a year or two of occasional searching (and finding tons of silver coins in the same "football" field), we got a beep. I was digging a few inches down and remember pulling up this ancient copper coin. It was still in decent shape (I think it is F or VF details but the reverse has corrosion and a scratch). My dad remembered the coin and had no doubt it was the very coin he had lost.

So only one coin of my great-grandfather's collection from the 1930's remains to this day, this 1787 New Jersey cent. And it only survived in the family because it got lost and found 25 years later! Though it now had a scratch, that I put on it digging it out of the ground.

I now have this coin, and I had it graded by NGC a number of years ago. At the time I had requested to NGC if I could have a special label with my great-grandfather's name on it, but they would not do this for me.

So my question - this is my long winded way of asking whether PCGS would be willing to put some kind of custom label on this coin if I have it crossed-over? Or does PCGS only do this for famous pedigree coins?

ms70

PCGS has done that before. Naturally you'll have to speak with customer service. That's an amazing story!

lkeigwin

I think PCGS is wary of special labels getting out of hand so they generally turn down requests. Certainly exceptions are made for very special cases.

Yours is a fun story but I'm not sure they'd find it "important" enough. Never hurts to ask, though.

I'd approach DW or HRH at a show (with the coin), instead of working through customer service clerks.
Lance.

MsMorrisine

What you are asking for is called a pedigree.

Use that term when calling pcgs.

keets

it is a nice story and I accept that it is special to you, but I don't think they'll make special label and shouldn't. it would set a bad precedent that might be hard to halt.

JasonGaming

Come on, a great story without pictures of the coin?

AUandAG

Wonderful piece of family history and should be preserved with your family name if at all possible.

bob

amwldcoin

Didn't they recently slab a Lowly Morgan Dollar as dad's coin?

CoinPhysicist

Nice story but I really hope they don't give you a pedigree for this and don't think they will. Pedigrees are generally reserved for truly amazing things and truly amazing collections. While this is a nice and feel good story, this is not close to what I would imagine is pedigree worthy.

hchcoin

Great story. I would also like to see a picture of the coin. I love New Jersey Coppers. I have never seen one struck over another state that I know of. Sounds really cool.

Timbuk3

Love that story, good luck !!!

divecchia

Great story for sure!!!

Will it be enough to get a pedigree? I don't think it will, but I'm hoping for the best for you.

Good luck, Donato

Bochiman

If you were VERY interested AND you are ok with an added expense that you wouldn't get back, then what I would do, in your situation, would be to:

Have it slabbed by PCGS, if it isn't already.
Find someone who can do a custom holder for a slabbed coin (there are a few that can do it, but they escape me at the moment....someone else may know them offhand).
Have them put together a custom case for your slabbed coin and you will likely have room in that holder to put whatever text/story you want.

Years ago, on this site, someone did make, and show, case that held slabbed coins, and locked, I believe, so I know there are some out there that can do this.

BlindedByEgo

Great story. Pedigree? Improbable.

historybuff

Thanks for all of your opinions - I'll get the coin out of the SDB and post a few photos.

Bochiman, that is an interesting idea if I don't get any traction with PCGS!

oldabeintx

I agree with limiting pedigrees on slabs of course, but I see no harm at all with appropriate wording that makes it clear that the coin is of sentimental value. Not sure if there is "room" though.

ricko

Very interesting story. Amazing that the coin was found after 25 years....Best of luck with your quest. @Bochiman's solution seems as if it may even be more desirable than a notation on the label. Cheers, RickO

PerryHall

Capitol Plastics make coin holder and may be able to make a special holder for your slabbed coin with an engraved message on the holder.> @Bochiman said:

If you were VERY interested AND you are ok with an added expense that you wouldn't get back, then what I would do, in your situation, would be to:

Have it slabbed by PCGS, if it isn't already.
Find someone who can do a custom holder for a slabbed coin (there are a few that can do it, but they escape me at the moment....someone else may know them offhand).
Have them put together a custom case for your slabbed coin and you will likely have room in that holder to put whatever text/story you want.

Years ago, on this site, someone did make, and show, case that held slabbed coins, and locked, I believe, so I know there are some out there that can do this.

I had the same thought. Perhaps Capitol Plastics who make standard and custom plastic coin holders could make a holder to hold the slab with room for some text concerning this coin. Also, custom picture framing stores may be able to make a frame for this slab with room for text and perhaps even a pic of your great grandfather. Good luck and please let us know what you do.

MorganMan94

@amwldcoin said:
Didn't they recently slab a Lowly Morgan Dollar as dad's coin?

@joeykoins Has a 1921 Morgan that is "Genuine" - Graffiti which says "Dad's Dollar" as his forum photo.

DontTellTheWife

Don't get me wrong, I am a pcgs guy , but , I would be anacs would be willing to do something like. We just had a show and anacs did some slabs for the boy scouts merit badge class.

Try them as the holder may not matter.

historybuff

Here are a couple of photos - not quite the condition I thought I remembered, but that does not matter to me. It still has a bit of dirt on it! You can see part of the overstrike above Caesarea on the obverse. And no I did not carve my initials on it!

ms70

A year or so ago there was a post here which I think was called, "Dad's Coin" or something similar. The poster had a very personal story and PCGS made the "Dad's Coin" label for him. I tried searching but couldn't find it. There were pictures as well.

So yes. It absolutely has been done before.

ms70

@MorganMan94 said:

@amwldcoin said:
Didn't they recently slab a Lowly Morgan Dollar as dad's coin?

@joeykoins Has a 1921 Morgan that is "Genuine" - Graffiti which says "Dad's Dollar" as his forum photo.

I read this after I already posted right above. That's exactly what I was speaking of.

DCW

A treasured family heirloom! That's a really nice story of loss and redemption. I'm glad your father went back and found that coin.

JBK

Agree with most or all of the above.

Great story, understand your desire for a vanity slab, but will they do it?? Maybe need to step back and decide what you want a slab for. For authenticity or grade, understandable. But for display and custom text, a custom Capitol Plastics holder as someone mentioned might be the way to go. Or, as also suggested, a custom box for the slabbed coin, and add your customization to that holder/box.

burfle23

Cool post and story; PCGS has been known to add special pedigree info even when it's not from an "important " collection:

1630Boston

@historybuff

Here is a link to the previous post that successfully had a PCGS label made. Good Luck
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/11597268#Comment_11597268

How did you get "Dads Dollar" on the label?

I wrote a personal letter to PCGS when I sent my "Dad's Dollar" in. Explaining just what I posted here and more. Letting them know my Dad engraved each Morgan for all us kids when we were first born. Then, I requested that when sending my Morgan back, if they can please title the coin, "Dad's Dollar" on the label. Well. PCGS obliged to my wishes.

1630Boston

@joeykoins , I hope you do not mind me posting this. To help out a fellow forum member.

CERT VERIFICATION #30396974
According to the PCGS Certification Database, the requested certification number is defined as the following:

PCGS Coin Information
PCGS # 7300
Date, mintmark 1921-S
Denomination $1
Country The United States of America
Grade Genuine (98 - Damage)
Pedigree "Dad's Dollar"
Mintage 21,695,000
Holder Type Standard

airplanenut

@Bochiman said:
If you were VERY interested AND you are ok with an added expense that you wouldn't get back, then what I would do, in your situation, would be to:

Have it slabbed by PCGS, if it isn't already.
Find someone who can do a custom holder for a slabbed coin (there are a few that can do it, but they escape me at the moment....someone else may know them offhand).
Have them put together a custom case for your slabbed coin and you will likely have room in that holder to put whatever text/story you want.

Years ago, on this site, someone did make, and show, case that held slabbed coins, and locked, I believe, so I know there are some out there that can do this.

This is what I did, but I didn't bother with the grading.

historybuff

Thanks for everyone's thoughts!

airplanenut, that is very cool - a great idea. That may work, definitely worth thinking about! Maybe I could still keep it in the slab and put it in something like this. would allow a lot more detail which would mean more to my descendants.

joeykoins

Yes, Great Story! Just as earlier posted, I would send your heartfelt story in and ask for PCGS to oblige to your request (just as I did). PCGS should comply. I'm not saying they will answer to your need but it's worth a shot. Good Luck
One more thing... 1630 Boston / Sure, I don't mind you posted my story and situation. Cool!