PCGS RE-OFFERS FIRST STRIKE® INSERTS TO COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS

SportsModerator2 · August 19, 2008 3:15AM

PCGS RE-OFFERS FIRST STRIKE® INSERTS TO COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS

Effective August 19, 2008, First Strike® inserts will once again be made available to members of the PCGS Collectors Club.

This reverses a policy that went into effect on July 1, 2008, under which First Strike® inserts were limited to dealer submissions. “The collecting community let us know loud and clear that they wanted access to the First Strike® inserts”, said Ron Guth, PCGS President. “Collectors like the First Strike® program and they want the opportunity to have their own coins certified.”

The revised policy applies only to current and future submissions. Collectors Club members may submit their coins under any service level with payment of the appropriate grading fees, plus an additional $12 per coin to cover the cost of the special, First Strike® insert. The extra fee includes the cost of returning the mint packaging to the customer.

To qualify for the First Strike® insert, all submissions must be received by PCGS or sent in a mint-sealed package postmarked within 30 days of the original release date (see the PCGS website for deadline dates).

For further information about the First Strike® program, visit www.pcgs.com/firststrike/ or call a PCGS Customer Service representative at 800-447-8848

Ron Guth
President
Professional Coin Grading Service
www.pcgs.com

copperfan · August 19, 2008 3:16AM

WOW! PCGS, great news and thank you for hearing the collectors on this one. Way to go!

kranky · August 19, 2008 3:18AM

This will definitely make the ebayers happy.

baddogss · August 19, 2008 3:18AM

THANKS!

2manycoins2fewfunds · August 19, 2008 3:19AM

Hurray!!!!!

RYK · August 19, 2008 3:25AM

Thank goodness!

notwilight · August 19, 2008 3:26AM

<< Thank goodness! >>

RYK · August 19, 2008 3:26AM

<< 

<< Thank goodness! >>

>>

No comment.

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 3:27AM

What about Presidential Dollar First Day of Issue?

claychaser · August 19, 2008 3:28AM

Thanks Ron!

Burnie · August 19, 2008 3:37AM

Thank you PCGS, you have made the right decision!

NeoStar · August 19, 2008 3:39AM

Thank you so much!

Newcomp103 · August 19, 2008 3:47AM

Silverstate · August 19, 2008 3:56AM

CoinKing · August 19, 2008 4:03AM

<< What about Presidential Dollar First Day of Issue? >>

Hi Lee,

Sorry, the announcement only applies to First Strikes.

NHSBaseball · August 19, 2008 4:06AM

Nice response by PCGS to collector demand.

ricko · August 19, 2008 4:10AM

Cheers, RickO

CB2597 · August 19, 2008 4:16AM

Now i can Renew my membership.

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 4:23AM

<< 

<< What about Presidential Dollar First Day of Issue? >>

Hi Lee,

Sorry, the announcement only applies to First Strikes. >>

I'm sorry to hear this as well.

On the plus side, it does save me as much as $1,500 per quarter in submission fees and headaches trying to locate dollars on their respective release days.

OPA · August 19, 2008 4:24AM

"Bully bully ... good show"

nycounsel · August 19, 2008 4:34AM

They realized that they were not only losing money by making it dealer only, but that they were killing the FS market as collectors started to question how meaningful it is.

As a collector, I'm not so pleased about the change, I'd prefer to see the First Strike designation die off.

GRANDAM · August 19, 2008 4:38AM

I just called and had both my orders pulled to have the 1st Strike labeling added

Thanks PCGS

GrandAm

adamlaneus · August 19, 2008 4:54AM

Well, that is very good news.

I do not take advantage of this program personally.

But I do like to see companies that are flexible and responsive. It makes me believe that someone who knows what they are doing is in control. Excellent!

In the computer industry, I guess I see too many bad business models.

[edited] because I have too much coffee in me and do not want to misspelll or mispring.

hiijacker · August 19, 2008 5:04AM

This is really aggravating!!!

I sent in a four coin platinum submission for first strike about a month ago and they said i missed the deadline to send it in myself by a few days and absolutely could NOT get the first strike label, only dealer submission in bulk are accepted.

I begged and pleaded, as this was the last year to go with my collection of previous years with first strike labels, and how I could put together a bulk platinum submission seemed way too expensive, but they would not do it for me.

I calmed myself down by saying that the whole program will probably go away given the limitation of only buk dealer submissions.

Well I just got my coin back yesterday and now I see this announcement!

There must be someone higher-up that I can speak to about resending my coins back so they can get the label.

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 5:10AM

Horay. yee-ha, bully bully, and a hip hip horay, booya, and hazah to PCGS.

Now ...what are we cheering about again?

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 5:11AM

What? No comments on the price increase?

COINB0Y · August 19, 2008 5:13AM

It takes courage to change gears and reverse a mistake.

It is embarrasing, however it shows listening to the customer is sometimes the best thing you can do. Sometimes maybe it is better to float an idea out and get some feed back.

I had vowed never to buy a FS coin issued after the Ban and I stayed true. I know of many board members who PM me and said the same thing.

This mistake has needlessly cost both sides alot of money.

There were guys holding First Strike Dated Mint Packages that were forced to sell them of before the deadline. PCGS lost a bunch of revenue.

That said, this is a smart move.

copperfan · August 19, 2008 5:14AM

Priced increased?

COINB0Y · August 19, 2008 5:16AM

I'll comment on the price increase.

In business, sometimes the BEST way to say "No, I don't want the Job" is the price increase, it is much better than a "NO Bid" response.

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 5:18AM

<< I'll comment on the price increase.

In business, sometimes the BEST way to say "No, I don't want the Job" is the price increase, it is much better than a "NO Bid" response. >>

Huh? What you talkin about?

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 5:30AM

A distinction without merit

ProofCollection · August 19, 2008 5:32AM

I'm a little PO'd. I have a submission in that I could have mailed a few days earlier (and I would have) had I known this change was going to happen. Without the pressure of FS to worry about, I let the box sit on my desk for a few days.

I generally don't care about the FS program, except the rest of my collection is FS, so I wanted them all to be the same. Now I've got a gap that can only be fixed by trading holders. Grrrr...

aficionado · August 19, 2008 5:46AM

<< What? No comments on the price increase? >>

It used to be $10 and add $2 if you needed the boxes returned.

" plus an additional $12 per coin to cover the cost of the special, First Strike® insert. The extra fee includes the cost of returning the mint packaging to the customer. "

I guess this means it's $12 with or without the returning of boxes. Agree?

claychaser · August 19, 2008 5:46AM

The $12 fee also includes return of the packaging, which was ala carte before. Yes, the fee was $10, but it's now only $2 more to get the boxes and capsules returned, which sounds pretty reasonable to me. I suspect that its much easier to manage if all the orders get the boxes back, instead of another factor to complicate the process.

One question though: Will the bulk submission program (aside from the First Strike) be re-opened to non-dealers as well?

messydesk · August 19, 2008 5:48AM

Meh.

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 5:48AM

My bad.

In my frustration I failed to see the "The extra fee includes the cost of returning the mint packaging to the customer" which used to be optional. I wonder if it still is?

Where's the spank me emoticon?

AbesNeighbor · August 19, 2008 5:49AM

hiijacker,

I had the same issue... Two four coin platinum sets... I did request the 1st strike cause I received them after we weren't allowed to request it.

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 5:50AM

And yes, I will gladly continue to submit SAE's for the First Strike™ labels as it is the only possible way for us commoners to get an MS70 or PR70 without having to pay big mark ups.

Besides, the label are purty provided they don't go and change them like those Buffalo Fractionals!

19Lyds · August 19, 2008 6:00AM

<< Why do people want a First Strike designation even though it is impossible to know if any particular coin is a first strike? >>

Registry and to keep their sets consistent.

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 6:00AM

<< Why do people want a First Strike designation even though it is impossible to know if any particular coin is a first strike? >>

I think 2 reasons

1. All of their other coins are FS and they want uniformity
2. Ebay sales prices are higher.

No other reason other that that.

hiijacker · August 19, 2008 6:01AM

<< hiijacker,

I had the same issue... Two four coin platinum sets... I did request the 1st strike cause I received them after we weren't allowed to request it. >>

Exactly what happened to me. I ordered my coins on day 1 from the mint and got my coins after they stop accepting them. So PCGS would not take them.

After a delay from the USPS, I just got my coins back from PCGS yesterday!

I am hoping PCGS will let me resubmit to add the label.

They should have a record based on the certification number to be able to see that they were graded well before the cutoff date.

Casman · August 19, 2008 6:01AM

<< Why do people want a First Strike designation even though it is impossible to know if any particular coin is a first strike? >>

Why is Selson Blue Orange? The answer to both is I don't know...

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 6:03AM

<< 

<< Why do people want a First Strike designation even though it is impossible to know if any particular coin is a first strike? >>

I think 2 reasons

1. All of their other coins are FS and they want uniformity
2. Ebay sales prices are higher.

No other reason other that that. >>

Oh, I did forget one- It is that cute little flag. Some just cannot resist.

sumnom · August 19, 2008 6:04AM

Well, OK. I don't get it but whatever floats their boats...

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 6:06AM

<< Well, OK. I don't get it but whatever floats their boats... >>

I have come to the conclusion that there is a lot about collecting that does not make sense. I think it is because there are emotions involved.

sumnom · August 19, 2008 6:07AM

I am not even sure that I understand my own collecting habits, let alone those of others.

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 6:10AM

<< I am not even sure that I understand my own collecting habits, let alone those of others. >>

It's deep my friend. Too scary to go there.

Stooge · August 19, 2008 6:14AM

I guess this could be a "Victory" for the little Guy, but $12 per coin? For a different label? Thats steep, and it only covers "First Strike" and not Satin Finish, Presidential, and Statehood Quarters? I see this as a "First Step" and only 25% done.

Its a business and its always about $$$, but does it have to be?

Keep celebrating....

Later, Paul.

claychaser · August 19, 2008 6:16AM

<< Why do people want a First Strike designation even though it is impossible to know if any particular coin is a first strike? >>

Because the 70's sell for more money!

Coinsponge · August 19, 2008 6:19AM

Is it victory for the "little guy" or is it just a case where the little mouse puts on a beard -roars like a lion and believes he is one.

claychaser · August 19, 2008 6:22AM

<< Is it victory for the "little guy" or is it just a case where the little mouse puts on a beard -roars like a lion and believes he is one. >>

The "little guy". My YN and I have been able to buy some pretty nice coins with the profits made on the FS MS/PF-70 premium 2006-2007 mint bullion issues.

PCGS RE-OFFERS FIRST STRIKE® INSERTS TO COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS

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