PCGS Coin restoration Question

GRANDAM · June 1, 2025 1:50PM

Does a coin that is restored by PCGS and stays the same grade after restoration get reholdered with the same cert number?

Crypto · June 1, 2025 1:54PM

Short answer not always, most of the time though

GRANDAM · June 1, 2025 2:07PM

I ask because it would be much easier to get it restickered by CAC with the same cert number.

Shurke · June 1, 2025 6:56PM

I’ve only sent two coins to the PCGS conservation/restoration service. Both came back with the same grade, but they also both came back with different cert #s.

PeakRarities · June 1, 2025 8:07PM

For the most part, yea, but it will have to sticker in its own merit as it will have a new cert and possibly a new appearance. I typically do any basic conservation myself these days, but I don’t know if I use PCGS conservation until there’s a better system for it or I know who’s doing it.

I had a better date CC $5 in a higher grade that came back from regrade with the “restoration recommended” sticker. It had a grease streak on the reverse but otherwise nice, rich color. I figured they had an advanced technique since they recommended it, but ultimately they just dipped it and it lost its character. Then it somehow got skipped over for taking a new TV, and they took the old (pre conservation) TV and attached it to the NEW cert details..,needless to say, I spent some time talking to customer service and just had them deactivate the TV altogether.

The coin did sticker again and I sold it for break even or a small loss, don’t quite remember. I would prefer that for a 5 figure coin, proposed methods are suggested in the portal or something like that, and you confirm before they do anything. If it was one of my personal coins, I would have been devastated.

winesteven · June 1, 2025 9:19PM

The PCGS policy (at least for the last ten+ years or so), is to ALWAYS assign a new cert number post Restoration! Like you, @GRANDAM , I really wanted my CAC stickered coin undergoing restoration to retain that same (original) cert number to help prove to CAC that they previously stickered THAT coin (even though the appearance is now different, and it would have to requalify to sticker again).

Despite clear written instructions on the PCGS sub form, as well as discussing this with a Customer Service Manager, they insisted that since the coins appearance is different, they MUST assign a new cert number!

Separately and unrelated to the cert number point, I had great success with one of the very few coins I’ve ever submitted for Restoration. I bought from eBay a handsome common date (1904) Liberty Double Eagle, PCGS MS64+ w/CAC. It had a grease mark on the reverse. After Restoration, while the grease mark was still there, it was thinner. They upgraded it to MS65. I submitted it to CAC, and it stickered. Not fully satisfied, lol, I sent it back to PCGS for Reconsideration with that newly applied CAC sticker, and despite it just having been graded as MS65 weeks earlier, they upgraded it again, to MS65+. This time, sending it back to CAC for getting the sticker reapplied, was automatic!

Steve

GRANDAM · June 1, 2025 9:29PM

Well, I paid several hundred dollars to have this same coin restored in 2014 to have a spot removed. Now the coin has dip residue haze all over it where it wasn't properly rinsed. I hadn't looked at the coin in a long time and was scocked when I saw it.

I don't suppose PCGS would stand behind this coin and fix it?

So do they automatically regrade it or is that a seperate fee?

Also I ass/u/me that the grade is guaranteed not to go down?

winesteven · June 1, 2025 9:51PM

The grading fee is on top of the Restoration fee. Keep in mind Restoration is not automatic. They examine the coin in its existing holder to determine if they believe they can “improve” the eye appeal. They reject many coins requesting Restoration. In those cases, a small examination fee is charged.

Yes, they guarantee the grade will not drop. In the rare event if that’s not the case, their grading guarantee payment will come into play.

Steve

Clackamas1 · June 1, 2025 10:09PM

I seriously doubt CAC would be OK with just blanket re-stickering a coin that had been altered.

PeakRarities · June 1, 2025 10:39PM

@Clackamas1 said:
I seriously doubt CAC would be OK with just blanket re-stickering a coin that had been altered.

They don't- that's why we said the coin has to stand on its own, again.

GRANDAM · June 2, 2025 2:14PM

PCGS charges a 3% restoration fee, is this fee only charged on the difference between current value and an upgraded value ?

So If I send in a coin to be restored and it stays the same grade am I charged a 3% fee on the current value or only on the increased value if the coin upgrades?

Customer Service told me that the 3% only applies on an increased value if the coin upgrades but I don't read it that way from the submission form. Anyone have any first hand experience?

Thanks, GrandAm

PeakRarities · June 2, 2025 3:55PM

@GRANDAM said:
PCGS charges a 3% restoration fee, is this fee only charged on the difference between current value and an upgraded value ?

So If I send in a coin to be restored and it stays the same grade am I charged a 3% fee on the current value or only on the increased value if the coin upgrades?

Customer Service told me that the 3% only applies on an increased value if the coin upgrades but I don't read it that way from the submission form. Anyone have any first hand experience?

Thanks, GrandAm

Any guarantee premiums are charged based on the coins final value, ie the price guide for that grade. Interestingly, my invoice shows that I did paid the base fee plus a 1% GP, and the guide was 18k, so it was an additional $180. They did perform restoration, so Im not sure if the 3% is only upon upgrade? Others may have more experience.

GRANDAM · June 2, 2025 3:59PM

Yes, I am confused, customer service told me a $10,000 coin would only cost $70 for restoration with no GP unless the coin upgrades. I don't think that is correct. I would like to know for sure before I send my coins in.

MetroD · June 3, 2025 10:51AM

@GRANDAM said:
Yes, I am confused, customer service told me a $10,000 coin would only cost $70 for restoration with no GP unless the coin upgrades. I don't think that is correct. I would like to know for sure before I send my coins in.

@PCGS_Hy,

Is the 3% GP fee based on the total value of the coin in its final grade after restoration, or does the GP vary depending upon whether the coin upgrades?

Thanks

PCGS_Hy · June 3, 2025 2:40PM

Hello,

Restoration service will incur a 3% GP fee or a $10 evaluation fee depending on whether the coin goes through Restoration or not. Please see our Restoration page for details.

GRANDAM · June 3, 2025 5:18PM

@PCGS_Hy

Ok, as I understand it the Fee is 3% for a coin that is restored plus the $70 fee for a $10,000 or less coin.

For a coin that is sent for upgrade and is not restored there is a 1% fee on the increased in value after the upgrade.

Hy, is this correct?

Walkerguy21D · June 3, 2025 5:55PM

@winesteven said:
The grading fee is on top of the Restoration fee. Keep in mind Restoration is not automatic. They examine the coin in its existing holder to determine if they believe they can “improve” the eye appeal. They reject many coins requesting Restoration. In those cases, a small examination fee is charged.

Yes, they guarantee the grade will not drop. In the rare event if that’s not the case, their grading guarantee payment will come into play.

Steve

Thanks Steve, glad to know that they reject many coins for restoration.
I spent ~$85 round trip recently for restoration for a coin they apparently looked at and shipped back to me w/o doing anything. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, but with no comment or explanation it was a little disheartening.

marmac · June 3, 2025 6:28PM

@Walkerguy21D - your recent restoration experience mirrors mine pretty much. Submitted for restoration, coin came back in a new holder, no note or comments, and no conservation performed near as I can tell. Definitely disheartening.

PCGS_Hy · June 5, 2025 9:29AM

@GRANDAM said:
@PCGS_Hy

Ok, as I understand it the Fee is 3% for a coin that is restored plus the $70 fee for a $10,000 or less coin.

For a coin that is sent for upgrade and is not restored there is a 1% fee on the increased in value after the upgrade.

Hy, is this correct?

If choosing Restoration Express, you will be charged 3% for Restoration and $70 for Express. If it does not go through restoration, it is just a $10 evaluation fee. There is no relation to how the coin grades out.

There is no 1% GP except for Rarities grading, Crossover, Regrade, and Reconsideration services. For Crossover, Regrade, and Reconsideration, the 1% GP is only charged if the item successfully crosses or upgrades.

Please be sure to check out our Restoration page, Services and Fees page, or our submission form for additional info.

Best,

PCGS_Hy

ProofCollection · June 6, 2025 9:38AM

Wish I saw this earlier as I use the restoration service extensively. You ALWAYS get a new cert number when submitted for restoration. The grade is guaranteed not to go down. I would think if PCGS has record of the previous restoration service they would "fix" the issues you have or pay you under the guarantee program if they can't. Let me know if you have any more questions.

MsMorrisine · June 6, 2025 10:05AM

@GRANDAM said:
Does a coin that is restored by PCGS and stays the same grade after restoration get reholdered with the same cert number?

agree with not always

MsMorrisine · June 6, 2025 10:06AM

pcgs does not guarantee for environmental factors anymore

ProofCollection · June 6, 2025 10:09AM

@MsMorrisine said:

@GRANDAM said:
Does a coin that is restored by PCGS and stays the same grade after restoration get reholdered with the same cert number?

agree with not always

I have never had a resto order come back with the same cert number and I have done dozens.

@MsMorrisine said:
pcgs does not guarantee for environmental factors anymore

It's not environmental if it's a defect with their restoration process/service.

MsMorrisine · June 6, 2025 10:10AM

oh. it's definitely not coming back with the same cert. that takes not only a dealer but a dealer with pull to get that

PCGS Coin restoration Question

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