Are grading holder mechanical errors ever worth a premium?

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logger7
logger7 Posts: 9,866 ✭✭✭✭✭

Today at an open flea market, a guy at a table had a 3c nickel from the 1880s in an NGC MS63 holder. The problem is that it said "10c" and came up with a much higher value online. So a coin worth around $160 shows up as a coin worth multiples of that. A buyer scanned it and offered something over $300 for the coin.

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  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,092 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    No, nothing or not much. Some like to specialize it and that's about it. No added value

  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would discount them sharply. It would cost money to get them into a properly labeled holder.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • MWallace
    MWallace Posts: 4,683 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It doesn't cost a thing to get coins with mechanical errors reholdered. NGC and PCGS (maybe the others too) will pay postage both ways if you contact them.

  • Goob
    Goob Posts: 577 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Possibly to some people but that’d be a pretty niche market

    "Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
    - Someone, probably

  • U1chicago
    U1chicago Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    There can be a small premium for common lower dollar coins. For expensive coins, it’s a negative.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If the error is funny, people might buy it but not in anything pricey.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • FredWeinberg
    FredWeinberg Posts: 6,040 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The photo on the left of the cricket is just about what he looked like inside the slab when I first got it – before he dried up in almost 25 years!

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • Creg
    Creg Posts: 1,736 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @FredWeinberg said:
    The photo on the left of the cricket is just about what he looked like inside the slab when I first got it – before he dried up in almost 25 years!

    Can you invoke any guarantee?

  • USMarine6
    USMarine6 Posts: 2,114 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Retail on this one is $125. Not sure if the final price had anything to due to the error but I would think so.

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 1, 2026 4:33AM
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    I see them as unfortunate…

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

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @USMarine6 said:
    Retail on this one is $125. Not sure if the final price had anything to due to the error but I would think so.

    Is that a no drapery variety? If so, the value is more like $500. It's more likely that possibility is what's driving the price.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • FredWeinberg
    FredWeinberg Posts: 6,040 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The only guarantee I can assure is that when I tell non-collectors that I sold a dead cricket for six grand they look at me like I’m nuts……

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @FredWeinberg said:
    The only guarantee I can assure is that when I tell non-collectors that I sold a dead cricket for six grand they look at me like I’m nuts……

    I’ve been a collector for 70+ years and I think that’s nuts.

  • illini420
    illini420 Posts: 11,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have an ANACS Buffalo Nickel that says 1313-D on the holder instead of 1913-D. Been offered a small premium for it and I passed :smile:

  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have a 2010 S Silver Proof Roosevelt in a PCGS holder not indicated as silver. An NGC Eisenhower Bicentennial proof shown as a 50C, and an NGC 1976P Eisenhower bicentennial labeled as a type 1 but is actually type 2. Just interesting to have in my opinion.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • USMarine6
    USMarine6 Posts: 2,114 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @USMarine6 said:
    Retail on this one is $125. Not sure if the final price had anything to due to the error but I would think so.

    Is that a no drapery variety? If so, the value is more like $500. It's more likely that possibility is what's driving the price.

    Ahhhh gotcha makes sense

  • No Headlights
    No Headlights Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I had a Barber half mistakenly labeled as a quarter. I had to get it relabeled (at no charge) to get it into my registry set.
    Other than grading errors by our hosts (just kidding monitors) that is my only experience with a mislabeled piece.

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Mostly a nuisance to me, since I have to get it reholdered, even if reholdering is free. On the bright side, I get a new, unblemished holder out of it.

    Others like them. Not surprising, I guess, since a lot of people like collecting labels.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,866 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some may think they can pressure the grading services to negotiate a "deal" so they get the embarrassing holder back to correct their mistake. What they should realize is that the holder and all the proprietary things connected are at the discretion of the grading service. They just delete the grade and certification number from their authentication system when there is an error they can substantiate.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,866 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 1, 2026 12:13PM
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    @jacrispies said:
    As mechanical errors are pretty common when looking through bulk, sometimes there are neat mistakes. Here is the coolest I've seen, swapped labels on two NGC Fatty holders:

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWCJA/pair-of-classic-commemorative-half-dollars-with-mismatched-ngc-labels-ms-64-ngc-oh-generation-40

    If NGC knew about the mismatch, would they delete the the certification number due to their mistake?

  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jacrispies said:
    As mechanical errors are pretty common when looking through bulk, sometimes there are neat mistakes. Here is the coolest I've seen, swapped labels on two NGC Fatty holders:

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWCJA/pair-of-classic-commemorative-half-dollars-with-mismatched-ngc-labels-ms-64-ngc-oh-generation-40

    Although I take a very dim view of holder collecting, this example is pretty cool

  • jacrispies
    jacrispies Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @logger7 said:

    @jacrispies said:
    As mechanical errors are pretty common when looking through bulk, sometimes there are neat mistakes. Here is the coolest I've seen, swapped labels on two NGC Fatty holders:

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWCJA/pair-of-classic-commemorative-half-dollars-with-mismatched-ngc-labels-ms-64-ngc-oh-generation-40

    If NGC knew about the mismatch, would they delete the the certification number due to their mistake?

    Why would they? There are bigger issues out there along with mass mechanical errors already. No reason to delete this unless they have the examples in hand for reholder.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
    BHNC #AN-10
    JRCS #1606

  • jacrispies
    jacrispies Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Another fun mech error: 1866 No Motto Proof Seated dollar.
    Coinfacts, Mintage: 2

    The coin inside the holder clearly had a motto. A 1-2 million dollar difference in price that I am sure PCGS was happy to fix. Certainly the biggest "oopsie" that I have seen.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
    BHNC #AN-10
    JRCS #1606

  • Old_Collector
    Old_Collector Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @logger7 said:
    Today at an open flea market, a guy at a table had a 3c nickel from the 1880s in an NGC MS63 holder. The problem is that it said "10c" and came up with a much higher value online. So a coin worth around $160 shows up as a coin worth multiples of that. A buyer scanned it and offered something over $300 for the coin.

    No premium and anyone with ethics would not sell it fraudulently like that, it is free to return to NGC or PCGS by contacting their customer service and requesting a mechanical error on the holder, explaining the issue. They pay the postage and quickly return it. I've had 4 and all went very quickly and corrected properly.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,092 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jacrispies said:
    As mechanical errors are pretty common when looking through bulk, sometimes there are neat mistakes. Here is the coolest I've seen, swapped labels on two NGC Fatty holders:

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWCJA/pair-of-classic-commemorative-half-dollars-with-mismatched-ngc-labels-ms-64-ngc-oh-generation-40

    Way cool set 😎

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jacrispies said:

    @logger7 said:

    @jacrispies said:
    As mechanical errors are pretty common when looking through bulk, sometimes there are neat mistakes. Here is the coolest I've seen, swapped labels on two NGC Fatty holders:

    https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1GWCJA/pair-of-classic-commemorative-half-dollars-with-mismatched-ngc-labels-ms-64-ngc-oh-generation-40

    If NGC knew about the mismatch, would they delete the the certification number due to their mistake?

    Why would they? There are bigger issues out there along with mass mechanical errors already. No reason to delete this unless they have the examples in hand for reholder.

    Why would they not? A buyer of one of the coins would be unable to verify the coin or the grade.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Cuprinkor
    Cuprinkor Posts: 379 ✭✭✭
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    Windycity, do you think CAC would gold sticker your 47-D Quarter?

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 4, 2026 12:51PM
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    No. Who is going to buy it anyhow? They would be looking at reholder cost to get the mistake fixed. What if it downgraded then?

    Investor
  • robec
    robec Posts: 7,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
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  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    No. Who is going to buy it anyhow? They would be looking at reholder cost to get the mistake fixed.

    Typically reholder cost is covered by the TPG for mechanical errors, making them more desirable than coins in gimmicky promotional slabs.

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 4, 2026 12:50PM
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    Yes I would think the TPG would cover such a situation.

    Investor

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