Can You Mail Cheap Slabbed Coin in First Class Envelope?
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Hi,
Does anyone know if cheap slabbed coins can be mailed in a small first class mail envelope?
I have a box of proof Roosevelt Dimes graded PR69 in PCGS holders. There only worth about $5 each after shipping and ebay fees. So trying to figure out cheapest shipping method.
Not too worried about insurance or them getting lost, as Id rather just send them a replacement if they don't receive it.
Thanks
CoinBlog.net
0
Comments
No
I think the width is 1/4 inch, and if your letter does not exceed that it can go as nonmachinable first class, for a 21 cent surcharge. So, 55 cents plus 15 cent each addl ounce plus surcharge.
Many PO clerks will argue with you, though, and try to make you send it as a 1st class small package.
I'm pretty sure a member here sent a graded $20 St Gaudens back in the day in a stamped envelope!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
No, I cannot.
You run the risk of having the slabs (and coins) get damaged. Use for a small bubble envelope and have no worries.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
the sorter bends letters, your slab has a high likelihood of breaking
It'll have to be a first class parcel, since it's rigid. While I have received coins mailed with the lower first class letter rate postage affixed, those were mistakes that the clerks made in selling the postage.
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The slab I just measured was over 1/4 inch so it wouldn't qualify. Why would you want to send it in a envelop even if you could? Sure it's only $5.00 and if it got damaged you could refund the buyer or send a replacement but you might risk a negative feedback for your "carelessness". Sending a small 4 ounce parcel coast to coast will set you back about $4.00 so that's not practical either.
You might be better off selling the entire box as a large lot, or better yet giving them away to young numismatists at a club meeting or a show.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
As mentioned above, your best bet would be to try to sell this in one big lot at $3-$5 a coin plus whatever shipping costs. Maybe you'll be lucky and a local coin store would give you a few dollars each. Or give them away to local collectors.
This brings up on of my biggest gripes with USPS! I make fat non machinable packages...and sometimes it does go through the sorter breaking the slab I mailed! I have since moved to double bubble inside cardboard inside an envelope! It really sucks when you pay for non-machinable and don't get it! Single bubble inside cardboard didn't cut it(gotta be 1/2 inch thick) so I went to double(3/4 inch +). I'll let ya know when they destroy my next package this way!
The free small Priority Mail box would hold several slabs and be much safer than a standard envelope. Fill the open spaces inside the box with just about anything. Weight is not a factor. You could ship a small Priority box filled with lead shot and it would still be the same price.
With all due respect this is not entirely true. I dug out the postal regs once and they say that if the entire package is rigid it has to go as a package, but a nonmachinable letter can contain rigid items such as a coin or flat battery as some musical greeting cards use.
A slab pushes this definition even if it is less than 1/4 inch thick.
But, many if not most postal clerks don't know the rules and will try to force you to mail as a package.
Anyway, always send a slab in a padded mailer. No reason not to.
Thanks for all your comments. So what would be cheapest method to ship? In a bubble mailer first class?
Sorry if this has been asked already, just tdying to ship most economical way. As I have a few more boxes with $10-$25 coins that I'd like to also ship most economical way.
Thanks
CoinBlog.net
Although the box is free, the cost is close to $7.00 to ship that box. No way you can sell for $5 for singles and ship without burdening your cost. Maybe sell them in blocks of 5 or more, amortize shipping costs over 5 or more. Bubble pack $.80 in quantity, avg cost 1st class $3.00 which is driven by destination distance, 2 min to pack 8 min to post. Cost $2.00. . Net loss of $.80 per single unit shipped. 5 at $5 = $25, cost to pack & post $3, $7 flat rate small, $10 total, minus 14% Ebay $ 3, total cost $13 net return $ 12.
Bob Sr CEO Fieldtechs
Sandwich the slab between STRONG cardboard, not cereal box stuff, but double wall thick stuff, much longer than the slab, both directions, and then put it in a LARGE bubble envelope, think a 8 x 10". It spreads out the load, and is harder to lose. The extra weight of the cardboard and mailer is negligible. Small envelope and bubble packs seem to be disproportionately lost or damaged. It can go 1st class, but with the new rates, a coast to coast 16 ounce 1st class is pushing priority mail rates.
However, for cheap coins ($5 - 10) I would seriously consider batching them, 5 or so in a group, and just go the small flat rate box. It is insured (through ebay ) for $100 and through USPS if mailing on your own, for $50.
I mail and FedEx about 5 packages a day, and have a real good rate of no damage, even glass and china.
sell them in lots of more than one coin and then ship small flat rate priority box.
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How many are you talking about? Your plan is to sell as many as you can?
A tiered sales quantity might work. 5 for $X, 10, 15, 20....something like that. Size your box to the quantity and adjust your shipping cost so you don't take a bath. Check the Post Office page for the new rates for the small, medium and large flat rate boxes and your cost will be fixed.....unless you add insurance or registered mail. Good luck.
You may want to give the coins to a local coin club that has a YN group or give them out to kids at Halloween along with their candy.
Or, just break them out of their slab and spend them.
If you have ideas in order to mail cheap coins cheaply then you will end up having someone cheaper write you and tell you that the slab was damaged or lost or whatever. It’s not worth the aggravation.
I sent something via first class no tracking to someone recently that was a little heavy for around $2; now with the regional first class you may be able to ship under the ebay rate which has been a little under $3. Of course you could ship first class basic as long as no usps worker flags it properly wrapped. Sandwich mailers come in handy.
I think you should absorb the shipping cost on this and send it securely packaged. Take a different strategy on future sales and maybe sell in lots like others have said. With these bitterly cold temperatures, the plastic can become brittle if left in a mailbox or in a mail truck too long. One good hit or a drop to the ground could shatter it if not in a padded envelope or box.