I admit I don't like the new 10 coin boxes much
ChrisH821
Posts: 6,740 ✭✭✭✭✭
Or at least the way they are intended to hold the coins.
Allow me to explain.
The dividers in the new boxes are made in a way that they partially cover the coin lens of the holder. Ordinarily this is not a problem, but if the dividers become bowed(as this one is) they can actually touch the plastic. Over time with movement, like during shipping, this rubs against the holder and chafes a scuff into the coin lens. See pictures for detailed explanation:
See how the insert has bowed upwards in this picture? This can be made made worse by how the receipt is stuffed in for return shipment.
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The insert against a coin in the holder removed from the box, the divider goes to the center of the lens.
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It is actually touching the slab here
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And here is a chafed holder 
You can see it across the wheat.
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The way PCGS returns coins in the new boxes is chafing the view area of brand new holders.
-The solution is simple, however, just put the slab in upside down. This is how they should be shipping coins in these boxes.
I am also wondering if the plastic formula has changed.. my new holders seem to get scuffed and hairlined much easier than I remember. A simple swipe with a soft cloth is putting micro scratches into them, easy enough to polish out but I feel this shouldn't be the case to begin with.
Collector, occasional seller
Comments
Since a new company is running PCGS now, it's possible this cardboard storage is a way to cut costs, which wouldn't surprise me.
This could very well be true. One must use caution though, a quick cost cutting measure could backfire and end up costing more money than you were trying to save. I'm betting that one complimentary reholder due to scuffed holders negates the cost savings of several plastic 20 coin boxes. We all know how picky coin collectors can be about the little things, although a scuffed holder right out of the box is not a little thing.
Collector, occasional seller
I know that the sale was announced but has it been completed? The boxes have been around since summer. I’m sure it is a cost savings but one that should have been done years ago, IMO.
I'm not aware of a "new company running PCGS now". Last I heard, the transaction had not yet been completed.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
That chaffing is unacceptable and will be a very common problem for people using those boxes.
With the prevalence of intense OCD within coin collectors, I would say this may become an issue.
Cheers, RickO
The cost of grading should include a more reliable return shipping container. If PCGS is to continue using these boxes they should at least put each slab in a 3X4 zip lock bag.
I buy the thicker 4 mils in 1000 bag lots for only a penny and a half ea. . Every slab I ship to a buyer is in one.
With their volume, PCGS could probably score them for less than 3/4 of a cent.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Please show the front of the Lincoln. 30's proof?
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/2819
Yes, 1939.
Collector, occasional seller
just have your submission be 11 coins or more
Honestly that sucks. I am a small time collector, I was thinking of submitting 5-6 coins, but I don't want to now since I don't want my coins to come back rubbed like that...
I wouldn't let it deter you from submitting coins, it isn't terribly distracting and if you can polish a slab it only takes a minute or so to eliminate. Also not all of them had an issue, most didn't.
Collector, occasional seller
I have no idea how to polish a slab
DON'T use Ajax!
$14.61 for 1,000 bags sounds fair. But $17.70 more for shipping?
Lance.
I use Brillo pads...same thing I use to clean my coins! 😜
Be sure to rinse.
Chris,
I agree with your explanation. I encountered the same issue on a batch of 6 coins.
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
@BrettPCGS
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Here's that same holder after a quick polish. totally fine now.
It's very easy, I get best results using cotton balls and the plastic polish that Wizards sells. This was just using the final "plastic clean & shine" step, there are two more aggressive ones that can get out deeper scuffs and scratches.
I put a drop on the holder then do small swirls in a circle until it gets the marks out, then buff with another clean, dry cotton ball.
Collector, occasional seller
Rec'd a couple of these boxes back this summer. I was thinking our hosts were doing this on orders less than 10. Cost savings over the plastic I'm sure. i didn't see an issue with any scratches or abrasions on my slabs. As others have said, a little plastic polish available at any auto parts store will fix them right up.
I don't notice which ones are from the paper inserts after the slab spends a week or so in my pocket.
Cardboard is environmentally more responsible. I haven't noticed an unusual amount of scuffing.
Have these cardboard boxes totally replaced the plastic ones?
Your advice goes for the raw coin before submission also!
They must have called in "The Bobs"
I recently submitted 22 coins will I get three cardboards, 2 plastics and 1 cardy, or 2 plastics? Hopefully they don't do away with the box completely but if so there will be a rising secondary market for coin storage.
Good question.
For what we have to pay for shipping and grading I believe the plastic boxes are the way to go you know your coins are going to make it. I hate to pay even more but at least give us an option to get a plastic box.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
I agree, but would you go back to cardboard 2x2s vs. plastic slabs?
One could argue that the slabs should be permanent to hold the coins, but then you could say the same thing about the boxes to hold the slabs.
What about biodegradable plastic for both slabs and boxes?
https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/93440-functional-brand-wellness-shots-packaged-in-biodegradable-plastic-packaging
I like them they can store overflow coins ANACs, ICG, NGC, PCGS. Will help me w storage in bc when start doing shows again once Corona off field. As far as op issue will take look.
Certainly due professional care needs to be taken w slab storage, handling.
Right now, I use PCGS boxes for PCGS only slabs and ATS boxes to hold everything, including PCGS.
I will say that these cardboard boxes are better for the small ANACS white holders.
However my numbers were wrong, 1 plastic and 1 card. My coffee buzz hadn't quite settled in when I typed that. But you get the point. There obviously is a large percentage of small orders to even consider this but it makes sense. They don't want to find mass piles of these floating around the ocean
Why even use boxes for small submissions like 1 or 2 coins? I actually submitted two coins back before Christmas so im curious as to how they will be packaged.
New PCGS slabs will not go in the ATS boxes now.
these boxes are a novelty and probably not intended for long term use. at that, they are sturdy and pleasant enough to look at so that I would prefer them over their plastic counterpart.
PCGS Gen 6.0 slabs will fit in ATS boxes if you're willing to lose 1 slot.
So, New Shipping Box 1.0 has a bug discovered in the field rather than in product test. I imagine New Shipping Box 1.1 will fix this bug, probably by cutting the dividing cards differently. If I recall, the stacking tabs of the slabs also snag on these when removing them from the boxes, but I would say this bug is lower priority.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution