Share your recent, positive Reconsideration upgrades
cointime
Posts: 2,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
I sent a batch of coins in recently to PCGS for reconsideration on one of the quarterly collector's club specials. This option PCGS came up with for collectors to have their coins reviewed in older holders without being cracked out unless they upgrade depending on your selection (a plus, full point or any including attribution). I liked the concept but have never tried this until now. Keep in mind this is not just for older holders.
Earlier this year I found an upgrade for my 1964 mint set on Great Collections that I really wanted so I put in a modest bid and then watched it. The last day of the auction of course I was out bid, so I waited toward the end and put in a higher bid in hopes of getting this really nice example for my set. Well to my surprise I won 
https://greatcollections.com/Coin/603023/1964-D-Lincoln-Cent-PCGS-MS-67-RD I received my coin from GC and was very pleased - and I must say GC is a great place to buy and sell.
Fast forward, with the coin in hand I thought it had really nice original surfaces and super red color. Although the coin was in a newer holder, I did not want to have it cracked and be subjected to any additional air time as small as it might be at PCGS. Now for my 1st experience with reconsideration, I found that if you put really nice coins in front of the graders you will be rewarded 
Take a look and of course share your positive experience with us all.
Cert lookup
https://pcgs.com/cert/36916801
Comments
Congrats @cointime the + made a very big difference!
Excellent eye you have there.
WS
Love your 64 Mint set and Congrats on the Up Grade. I have a batch of coins I would love to try this service with.
Enjoy tom
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
Link to My Registry Set.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-specialty-sets/washington-quarters-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-1932-1964/publishedset/78469
Varieties Are The Spice Of LIFE and Thanks to Those who teach us what to search For.
You asked others for their recent Reconsideration experiences, so I’ll share mine, along with some insights. First though, take the following into consideration: Presently, PCGS stats show that in the last 12 months, they have assigned plus grades to only 2.1% of the coins they’ve graded. Keep in mind that plus grades cannot be added on 69’s and 70’s (most modern coins), so of the coins they’ve graded that are eligible for a plus, the percentage getting that plus is somewhat higher than 2.1%. I say this, since one would then think that if PCGS previously said a coin was a whole grade number without a plus, then one would think the chances of succeeding on having them change their mind and now give a plus would be LOWER than their regular rate of granting pluses!
I’m a collector and not a dealer. When I buy coins, while I’m very selective, I NEVER buy a coin anticipating it will get an upgrade. Regardless, I regularly submit many of my coins for Reconsideration. My most recent was, like you, their recent quarterly special. I submitted for Reconsideration 12 Classic Silver Commemoratives, relatively high grades, but all whole number grades. Three of those got a plus, and the increase in “value” was about five times my total submission cost including round trip shipping.
Over the years, my success rate is roughly 15% - 25% in getting an upgrade upon Reconsideration. I have found that getting an upgrade on a coin that already has a plus is very difficult, but I have had that success. Perhaps one of the things that POSSIBLY helps my success, is that each of the coins I submit for Reconsideration has a CAC. When PCGS originally grades a coin, it’s raw. Possibly from a psychological point of view, now when it comes back to them for Reconsideration and now has a CAC, maybe that increases the chance of getting the plus? I don’t know. However, my best upgrade was an 1858 Flying Eagle Cent, Large Letters (this is common) originally graded MS66. When I sent it in for Reconsideration, it now had not only a CAC sticker, but it also had Rick Snow’s Eagle Eye Photo Seal. They then gave it a plus, making it one of the very few in that new grade or higher. As such, the PCGS Price Guide value tripled! Regardless of the CAC, the coin itself must merit any upgrade by PCGS.
Finally, since the Cert Number stays the same with Reconsideration, for just $3, CAC automatically reapplies their sticker if the increase is only a plus.
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
I’ve never upgraded with reconsideration if I’m going to play that game which I generally don’t I just go the regrade route because then if you fail at least you walk away with a great true view and aren’t empty handed!
I did upgrade this from a 65 to 66 with a 4 coin regrade sub a few months back. My only success in a small sample size of regrades.
Thank you for your kind words, I am really happy with my upgrades.
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
Tom, thank you. I still have a lot of work to do with my '64 mint set. I don't think it will ever be a Hansen set, but I'm having fun. Let us know how you did if you give it a try.
PhilLynott, Congrats on your upgrade, I like it!
My Washington Type B/C Set
@winesteven Thank you for your well written and thought out post which has to be the best POTD day, imo. I had some of the same experience with this sub. I included one coin with a + already that did not upgrade and received a plus on another coin. I think it might be fun to do a sub with say 5 or 6 coins all + and see if any get bumped to the next whole grade
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
@cointime - Thanks for your kind words.
Give it a shot, but don't be too optimistic. Keep in mind they'll charge you the grading fee, plus round trip postage, whether any upgrade or not. As such, you might want to wait for a quarterly special that would be applicable.
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Ken said: I think it might be fun to do a sub with say 5 or 6 coins all + and see if any get bumped to the next whole grade.
Would it make sense to seek reconsideration of 6 coins all currently graded 58+? What is the maximum upside? 60?
There is no maximum upside on reconsiderations.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
lava, Depending on the coins, I would say an au58+ is idea for a everymans collection set so I'd leave those as is
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
Yeah! Offer me a 58+ Barber Half I need and my offer will probably be double what you would get for your upgraded coin! I have saved a few from the hammer!