What Does Returned in a Body Bag Mean?

ChodeLee · May 16, 2003 10:58AM

I tried a search on threads on a "Body Bag". What do it mean? A coin so bad the grading company would not grade it?

jdimmick · May 16, 2003 11:06AM

The term Body Bag is the term used to describe a coin sent to the grading services that does not encapsulate. It is returned in a small plastic bag that says try again? Edited to say Flip, not to confuse you!

No just kidding about the try again.

Coins that wont holder that were sent in raw, are returned from PCGS in small plastic flip. "slang Body bag"

fcloud · May 16, 2003 11:07AM

There are a host of reasons for body bags (coins not graded).
1) Coin could be cleaned
2) Scratches
3) Counterfiet
4) Wizzed

I am sure there are more, but this should give you the idea.

Tony

ChodeLee · May 16, 2003 11:10AM

So is there a mninnium grade?

airplanenut · May 16, 2003 11:12AM

No- any problem coin will be bodybagged, regardless of the remaining detail

fcloud · May 16, 2003 11:12AM

I think technically they can go as low as Po01 (Poor 01). But the coin would need to be problem free.

fcloud · May 16, 2003 11:14AM

I was responding as if the coin would not be body bagged.

Russ · May 16, 2003 11:50AM

This is a bodybag:

And, this is the coin the second time after turning right around and resubmitting it:

Russ, NCNE

BillJones · May 16, 2003 11:56AM

A body bag can also mean that the grader was having a bad day is taking out on you. It can also mean he does not know enough about the coin that he has been asked to pass judgment upon. I’m VERY ANGRY

about some the body bags I’ve gotten, and I’d like to discuss the matter the ignoramus

who gave them to me. But they are faceless dictators.

Body bags are necessary for some coins, but sometimes they are blatant rip-offs. All you get for your money is 1 week to 2 month wait, a 2x2 piece of cardboard with a check mark on it, and no recourse. You people have my money, but you will never have my respect.

There nothing “Professional” or to do with “Guaranties” about that.

Catch22 · May 16, 2003 1:02PM

.....and.....to totally confuse you, the standards for issuing body bags varies from series to series and coin to coin. If the coin is rare enough, PCGS wants it in one of their capsules. I've seen some real disasters sitting in a PCGS holder. All in all though, PCGS seems to be the most reasonable in considering a coins degree of circulation and expected distractions before bagging them. For example, a Half Dime with a small rim ding might get bagged while a larger coin such as a Half Dollar with a small ding will usually make it's way into a holder if in a lower circulated grade...particularly if it's rare.

Taking this thread a step further, each grading company will differ in their willingness to bag or "net" grade. ANACS, for example, will not blink at "net" grading a coin with even the slightest imperfection while PCGS would holder it without hesitation in some cases.

I can see why a dealer might choose a grading company based on the particular coin and use several on a regular basis.

relayer · May 16, 2003 1:19PM

These are the reasons...

No Grades

90 Questionable Authenticity - Coin is a counterfeit.
91|N-1 Questionable/Artificial Toning (Questionable Color) for copper
92|N-2 Cleaning - by cloth or dipping. Harshly cleaned.
93|N-3 Planchet Flaw - Metal impurity in the planchet.
94|N-4 Altered Surface - Whizzed, harsh cleaning, thumped over (using a pasty substance to alter the appearance).
95|N-5 Scratch - Depends on the severity of the scratch or Rim Nick.
96|N-6 No Service or Refund
97|N-7 Environmental Damage - Corrosion, coating (lacquer)
98|N-8 Damage - Tooled (sharp instrument)
99|N-9 PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) - A substance which will adhere itself to a coin and grow with time. It may alter the coin.

RGL · May 16, 2003 1:23PM

Hmmm, Russ ... you mean there may be hope for my nice 1950 proof Jeff bagged for "environmental damage" -- I believe the graders; 10-second exam failed to distinguish the "damage" from a slight, mint-produced planchet flaw ... And, what did that Frankie grade, Russ?

Russ · May 17, 2003 1:56AM

RGL,

Yep, there's hope for your coin. The above Frankie was pulled right out of a proof set when I submitted it. Got it back in the bodybag, couldn't see a damned thing wrong with it. Resubmit and it comes back 66CAM.

Russ, NCNE

RGL · May 17, 2003 2:14AM

Thanks, Russ ... in my experience, some body bags leave you speechless, there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with the coin, and others have proved educational, as in, dohhhh, how did I fail to see that?

What Does Returned in a Body Bag Mean?

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