Options
A question about the "Secure Plus" holders
barrytrot
Posts: 759 ✭
I have a variety of coins in the "normal" holders and would like to transfer them to the Secure Plus.
I've heard a bit about the "sniffer". Not enough to really know much about it though.
So my question is: If I have a toned coin is it possible the "sniffer" says it is "AT" and therefore either won't put it into a Secure Plus or even worse "genuine" holders it? Naturally for toned coins even if PCGS paid me full guide I would lose quite a bit of my investment in the coin.
NOTE: The coins would all be already in regular PCGS holders.
I've heard a bit about the "sniffer". Not enough to really know much about it though.
So my question is: If I have a toned coin is it possible the "sniffer" says it is "AT" and therefore either won't put it into a Secure Plus or even worse "genuine" holders it? Naturally for toned coins even if PCGS paid me full guide I would lose quite a bit of my investment in the coin.
NOTE: The coins would all be already in regular PCGS holders.
0
Comments
<< <i>I have a variety of coins in the "normal" holders and would like to transfer them to the Secure Plus.
I've heard a bit about the "sniffer". Not enough to really know much about it though.
So my question is: If I have a toned coin is it possible the "sniffer" says it is "AT" and therefore either won't put it into a Secure Plus or even worse "genuine" holders it? Naturally for toned coins even if PCGS paid me full guide I would lose quite a bit of my investment in the coin.
NOTE: The coins would all be already in regular PCGS holders. >>
That's part of the risk you take by going for Secure Plus. I chanced it 50 times while putting my entire toner collection of silver classic commems into Secure Plus holders. All of mine made it and many (over 20 percent) received upgrades.
I would have been surprised though if any had not made it. I buy from the better dealers and I know they look out for me when they run across higher end PCGS classic commems that are toned.
The sniffer isn't meant to sort out AT and NT. It's meant to detect substances on coins. But surely it can play a role in sorting out doctored AT coins.
Lance.
And what if I only send in as a "reholder", do the same rules still apply?
<< <i>It sounds as if you are concerned about some of your coins.... NT coins will not be rejected by the sniffer... coins that have been artificially tarnished by agents other means may well be rejected. Cheers, RickO >>
No, not at all. I have zero concern about any of them.
My concern is that PCGS is *not always right* and often *completely wrong*. There are no less than 2 threads every single week on that very subject. The "sniffer", even if it is "computerized" is definitely not 100% accurate either. Anyone in the programming market knows that there are no bug free programs.
<< <i>So if the sniffer says "bad" does that mean they put it back into a normal holder or all the way to "genuine"?
And what if I only send in as a "reholder", do the same rules still apply? >>
If the sniffer barks it gets genuined. I don't believe a reholder gets re-examined, merely new plastic. A regrade might be sniffed if the grader suspects something. And then anything can happen, including invoking the guarantee.
Lance.
<< <i>
<< <i>It sounds as if you are concerned about some of your coins.... NT coins will not be rejected by the sniffer... coins that have been artificially tarnished by agents other means may well be rejected. Cheers, RickO >>
No, not at all. I have zero concern about any of them.
My concern is that PCGS is *not always right* and often *completely wrong*. There are no less than 2 threads every single week on that very subject. The "sniffer", even if it is "computerized" is definitely not 100% accurate either. Anyone in the programming market knows that there are no bug free programs. >>
Why reholder them then? Do you just like to spend money?
<< <i> Why reholder them then? Do you just like to spend money? >>
Yes
Plus, I just want my collection nice and uniform.
Having spent over 20 years as an IT professional I agree that problems can, and do, always pop up with technology.
The technology that the Sniffer is based on is Spectroscopy which has been around a long time. I'd say that if an error is made in our Sniffing process it is probably a human error vs. a machine error. The spectrometer will tell you wether something is there or not, but there is always an interpretation of the data which is where humans come into play.
And you are right - we are not perfect. But I would say our batting average is pretty high. Extremely high.
So would you rather have your coins Sniffed or nothing at all? Some people feel better not knowing.
<< <i>My concern is that PCGS is *not always right* and often *completely wrong*. There are no less than 2 threads every single week on that very subject. The "sniffer", even if it is "computerized" is definitely not 100% accurate either. Anyone in the programming market knows that there are no bug free programs.
Having spent over 20 years as an IT professional I agree that problems can, and do, always pop up with technology.
The technology that the Sniffer is based on is Spectroscopy which has been around a long time. I'd say that if an error is made in our Sniffing process it is probably a human error vs. a machine error. The spectrometer will tell you wether something is there or not, but there is always an interpretation of the data which is where humans come into play.
And you are right - we are not perfect. But I would say our batting average is pretty high. Extremely high.
So would you rather have your coins Sniffed or nothing at all? Some people feel better not knowing. >>
Nice reply Don.
I agree, PCGS is doing a fantastic job as a whole. I just hope I'm not one of these rare casualties
I'm going to dive in. I don't have any coins I'm worried about so I just have to avoid the small chance of a mishap.
<< <i>
<< <i> Why reholder them then? Do you just like to spend money? >>
Yes
Plus, I just want my collection nice and uniform. >>
...
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
There are chemical toners out there that get bought and sold everyday on eBay. The sniffer would route these out.
However, if the coin was toned naturally in an accelerated environment, I don't think the sniffer would detect anything since there's really nothing there to detect other than normal oxidation. At that point, it would be the graders call.
If you really want the Secure Plus holders, go ahead and submit them. If something goes wrong you could always stamp your feet and complain or just resubmit them under the regular service. Of course,all this is provided the fees you spend don't cost more than the value of the coin.
I don't think anybody can accurately detect accelerated AT coins 100% of the time as indicated by Shanes recent thread and slabbing is only a grading opinion which may or may not be correct in more than one persons eyes.
If you can afford it then go for it otherwise just buy your Secure Plus coins already holdered.
The name is LEE!