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If you have a PCGS coin you know is under-graded, what do you do?

ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 21, 2025 8:33AM in U.S. Coin Forum

A "no question about it, this should be at least a point higher" scenario. Assuming all options below are financially viable. We're not talking a common MS65 Merc that should be 66.

Collector, occasional seller

If you have a PCGS coin you know is under-graded, what do you do?

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Comments

  • U1chicagoU1chicago Posts: 6,558 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 21, 2025 8:39AM

    I’ll go with crack and resub because regrade/reconsideration come with extra bias and potential extra costs. CAC is a decent back up option but if it doesn’t gold, the benefit isn’t the same as a one point bump. Now there is a risk that you missed something and end up losing a point or getting a details slab. That will be a risk worth taking if you’re confident in the coin.

    Edit: I’m discounting the mechanical error option for a 1-2 point difference since the tpg will almost certainly say that is not an obvious mistake. Now if you’re talking about an MS 66 with a Good 6 grade (which I recall seeing once), then the mechanical error option would work.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,842 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Crack out is the only way to go. It’s best to start with a clean slate.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,942 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Other: I'd sell and buy the grade I want.

    bob :)

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • Morgan13Morgan13 Posts: 1,710 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 21, 2025 11:24AM

    Picture?
    I didn't want to add another post to this thread but I believe this coin is undergraded by 1 point and if dipped it may also be dmpl. The mirrors are there.
    If I were to do anything I would dip and resubmit.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7

  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 6,013 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 21, 2025 9:26AM

    @ChrisH821 said:
    A "no question about it, this should be at least a point higher" scenario. Assuming all options below are financially viable. We're not talking a common MS65 Merc that should be 66.

    Put it on eBay as a major error one of a kind! Hyperbolic description saying at LEAST 2 points undergraded guaranteed!!! A steal at a low BIN of $One Hundred Kazillion Billion dollars! NO RETURNS!!!

    Many happy BST transactions
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How do you “know” it’s under graded and by how much?
    And what’s the difference in value between the current grade and the one you feel is “right”?

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • coastaljerseyguycoastaljerseyguy Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Since Ive never did a crackout, reconsidersideration or CAC submission, I keep it. Keep the under-graded holders and sell the over-graded holders.

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Depends on the value as well as your confidence in your grade. I like CAC to cover the broadest value spectrum. If no gold on a more valuable coin, a bean might at least give you confidence to try a raw submission and the cost is not material - with no risk. On a less valuable coin, it’s clearly your best bet. A win with a gold and knowledge at less cost/risk with a green.

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,856 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Take notes of your grading observations. You might consider showing the coin to others whom you trust to obtain other unbiased thoughts as to the grade. Grade opinions can change over time. Unless you are planning to sell the coin, I am not seeing the need to rush and do something prematurely. Live with the coin for awhile- compare it to others if possible just to appreciate the subtle differences and determine how your coin stacks up with the surviving population.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    BTW for most coins it really doesn’t matter.

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    How do you “know” it’s under graded and by how much?
    And what’s the difference in value between the current grade and the one you feel is “right”?

    The question is about any hypothetical coin that anyone might have, but I do have a particular coin in mind while making this poll.
    The reason I "know" it is under-graded is I have handled quite a few of this type, I have others in higher grades that this one is as good or better than. There was also another of the same coin, in the same submission, that graded the same, and is noticeably "not as nice". Part of me suspects a data entry/label creation mistake, the certs are sequential.
    The PCGS price guide difference between this grade and the next grade is about $2000. This would not be the first time I had to have a coin regraded that was pretty obviously under-graded the first time around. This also isn't a coin I plan on selling, at least not any time soon.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,548 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Stick it in my bank box with the rest of my "under-graded" coins

    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This has happened to me several times. One of the coins per Chris's last post above, I have handled quite a few of these coins. Both coins were reviewed by a well known professional in the business who sees more coins than most and has a former PCGS grader on staff.

    The first coin is worth an additional $5K in MS 67 versus MS 66. Part of the problem is that the powers that be just don't seem to want 7s to be made. The second one is worth between an additional $2K and $3K in MS 65 versus MS 64. A well known crack out guy wanted to buy the second coin from me.

    They're just sitting in my safe deposit box.

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 7,039 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Depending on the coin, if it's good enough for a gold CAC you can add crazy value over and above the bump to the next grade. Best to just show us.

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:
    Depending on the coin, if it's good enough for a gold CAC you can add crazy value over and above the bump to the next grade. Best to just show us.

    I'll have to get my photo setup back up and running. The trueviews aren't comparable because they were taken with much different lighting on each coin. I do not know why they did this.
    It will be a separate thread, I don't want this one to be concerned with a specific coin, but any coin that is "valuable enough" to justify the effort and extra investment.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,091 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I typically advise folks to follow the course of least invasive treatment first, which in this case would be to ship to CAC for their opinion. Cracking coins out of holders is a one-way street.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ChrisH821 said:

    @MFeld said:
    How do you “know” it’s under graded and by how much?
    And what’s the difference in value between the current grade and the one you feel is “right”?

    The question is about any hypothetical coin that anyone might have, but I do have a particular coin in mind while making this poll.
    The reason I "know" it is under-graded is I have handled quite a few of this type, I have others in higher grades that this one is as good or better than. There was also another of the same coin, in the same submission, that graded the same, and is noticeably "not as nice". Part of me suspects a data entry/label creation mistake, the certs are sequential.
    The PCGS price guide difference between this grade and the next grade is about $2000. This would not be the first time I had to have a coin regraded that was pretty obviously under-graded the first time around. This also isn't a coin I plan on selling, at least not any time soon.

    Thank you.
    If I were in your shoes (or for that matter, in my own), first I’d get a second opinion from a knowledgeable acquaintance to make sure I hadn’t missed something. If that person agreed with me, if I thought the coin had a chance for a gold sticker at CAC, I’d try for that. If I didn’t think it had a chance or tried and failed at CAC, I’d likely crack the coin out and submit it to CACG or PCGS.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,824 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Consider whether it is worth the trouble and expense.

  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,624 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Smile and be happy with your good fortune.

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 6,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 21, 2025 8:54PM

    I voted “other” because I prefer my coins to be undergraded much more than when they are maxed out. I pay extra for these kind of coins that look like they should be in a higher grade holder, but I don’t try to resubmit them or sticker them if they are for my long term collection. I’d most likely think differently if I was actively selling them except if it was someone I knew and they wanted it for their collection.

    Mr_Spud

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,173 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very much agree with Mr_Spud post. Try to buy strongest coin possible. My price range does not usually see huge price shifts anyway. prefer to let coin speak for itself. James

  • BarberianBarberian Posts: 4,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Grading is subjective. All you have to agree upon is the price.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
  • LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,618 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think I've done all of them :o

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @marcmoish said:
    If an older holder, get it beaned and put it away.

    👍 This

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

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