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You have a raw coin(variety)you want to get graded, but then a graded one is offered. What to do?
Hallco
Posts: 3,732 ✭✭✭✭✭
I bought a raw Vam recently and have thought about sending it for authentication and they attribution. In the meantime, one has come up available for a pretty good price already graded and attributed, but not by our hosts, who I would want to send the raw one. Similar grade(my raw one "might" be a tad better). It's not a Vam that is uncommonly rare, but it's not really all that common either. I'm sure some of you have had this situation occur and wanted to get some feedback on what choice you made and if you were happy with the decisions. Thanks in advance for any input! 
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If the TPG is important to you, then send in the one you have.... If not, buy the graded coin. If you do that, and your OCD cannot live with the holder it is in, you can send it for crossover... and take your chances. Cheers, RickO
Many times it is less expensive to buy an already graded coin but not always
I encountered this dilemma a few months ago, and somewhat often with varieties. I try to abide by “i bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”
If I am using the phrase correctly , it means a sure thing always beats a possibility. I have bought a Pcgs graded attributed coin when I have a raw or NGC/ anacs example ready to be sent in.
I guess in my distorted thought it is like throwing good money after better, instead of possibly bad (grade/attribution)
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If it's an inexpensive coin then I'd probably go with the slabbed coin rather than suffer thru the pain and cost of sending it in an waiting and waiting. OTOH, if it's a more valuable coin, I'd go with the better coin according to my opinion/eye appeal and send it in to PCGS.
If it's slabbed, it's protected. For your own protection....It's still your choice.
I use the $200 rule. For some it is more, some less. Whatever yours is use that.
Lots of ways to answer this question, depending on your goals and what the coins look like. Keep in mind that if you buy the second, you will probably want to sell the first, but it might not bring as much if not in the "right plastic."
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I usually do both, then decide which I like later. More fun that way
That is wise advice. I have yet to sell or even get nibbles on the two most recent coins in other than the “right plastic” that I had already owned. Even at a loss they have not sold.
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I find it more gratifying to make my own coin if the cost is equal or even if it costs a little more.
Of course there is that tipping point where you don't want to get silly and just waste money.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I do like what Barndog said......."I buy both and put off the decision until later......." but later never comes and pretty soon you have two great collections of the same series. And if you have two heirs, let them draw straws for each date.
OINK
@Aspie_Rocco . Now I have to go look up that type of coin, because I have at least one of that year and I cannot see the doubling on yours. Meaning, Yikes! Maybe mine is doubled too. But, that is just some of the fun in this hobby, it seems every time I learn something I have to go back through all the stuff I have bought and check...
Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. I have decided to submit the one I have to PCGS at some point(then to VSS)since it is not on the list of Vams PCGS will attribute. I appreciate all of the valuable information that each one of you bring to this forum!
The top of letters IN GOD WE TR... show doubling or snow caps as I think of them. This is a tough one to get them to attribute. I have sent in 3 and all missed it got minor variety when they are exactly like the true view and the NGC example. I needed to buy the true view outright to finally fill the digital space in my registry, despite owning 4 already
This and the 2004 P peace nickel DDO have been the most problematic for me getting them into Pcgs attributed holders.
Check yours for a re engraved ribbon also!
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@Aspie_Rocco . Thanks, I will check them out shortly. I thought that nickel has a ddr not ddo, Or are you talking about a proof coin? I have what I thought was ddr 2004 5c but I think it was declared mechanical and here. Now, I gotta go back and check it too.
@Aspie_Rocco ... Let me bounce a couple more off you. If you don't mind
BUT, he had several (if I remember correctly) black slabbed NGC slabs
that I passed right over because they were not high grade coins and I had not read the article yet. So, are there particular ones to look for? Or if I see them, do I buy them all?
I don’t know anything about black Ngc slabs, have not seen them, or if they have a premium I have not heard. Do not buy something if you do not know about it. Do not try to buy something well below normal value, as you could be ripped off, or do the ripping off. Know your grades and state of preservation before buying expensive coins or large amounts of them. CoinFacts and latest edition cherrypickers guide are super resources. Heed these things to some degree if you are buying to sell, flip, or future value consideration, otherwise have fun with your coin acquisition budget
No Pcgs will not do attribution for free unless it has its own listing as a MAJOR VARIETY in CoinFacts (not under variety within a normal listing.) for example in nickels: a 1939 ddo or qdr would not get free attribution, but a 1939 ddr WOULD, a 1942 D/ horizontal D, 1954 s/d or 55 d/s is no extra charge, but a 1954 s/s or 54 S ddr DO require attribution. You pay $18 if you are right and $9 if it is not a variety, in addition to grading fees and charges.
Find CoinFacts online or the app and it will show all varieties Pcgs will attribute
PM me for any further questions, to do so, click my name and then find “message” (so we don’t hijack this thread off topic)
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@Aspie_Rocco
@Hallco
Yea sorry about that Hallco, but some of these threads do remind me of Rosseane Rosseane Adana from SNL, if you recall.
@Aspie_Rocco & @CoinscratchFever..What are you tryin' to do....make me sick?
Its not what it used to be right? It was actually funny back then.
Not sure Rocco will understand the reference, but I definitely appreciate it!
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OMG! That is hysterical I haven't seen it since it aired. Anyways, I would buy the graded one and send my raw one in as well. I also think part of the fancy is making the coin. For me seems it is more rewarding. Not to dis the other, however. Both are vedi vedi gu to me
Let us know which way along with the result!