PCGS Return Unboxing Part:2 What did they GRADE?

I sent off my first batch of coins to PCGS. Ready to see what they graded and how I did on what I expected.
Billyazprospector
P.O. Box 72467
2550 E. Rose Garden Ln
Phoenix, AZ 85050

[@guyrobinson3625]

You need to submit not one coin but multiple coins of the same date. You have to start with coins that are less in grade and work your coins up in grade. If you give the grader just one coin to the grade, he's going to grade the coin low. Start with an MS60 then say a coin you think is an MS62 and so on up the scale. When you submit your coins you determine the order in which they are chosen to be graded. That is the order you put them on your form. The lines are numbered just for that reason. And if you don't want the coin slabbed, mark the box ON LINE 6 DO NOT HOLDER GENUINE. Then send them off to NGC or ANAC for grading. ANAC is only a fraction of the cost. Then do a crossover to PCGS. If they come back with the curse of Graffiti, which is usually when some SOB has circled something or initials are scratched on the coin, you aren't paying the big bucks to get disappointed. As for color, find some old junk Lincolns and try cleaning them. Try the lemon trick or the vinegar baking soda Hydrogen peroxide method, and use the MS 70 solution. You will see just what happens to the coins and you get to see first hand what color (s) come from trying to clean them. Then try baking your coins or using a torch, or just check out all the ways to ruin your coins on KZbin. You need to learn these things or you will continue to buy cleaned coins and submit coins that will not grade and cost you an arm and a leg. They are strict for a reason, PCGS is the best for a reason, they don't let crap slip by. Try collecting two maybe three coins of the same date and submit them and watch to see how you did. I found grading your coins under the screen of your laptop is the best when it comes to seeing imperfections. I set the screen to a nearly all-white display, then set brightness to full and tilt the screen down and then grade my coin under that light. It's a different frequency light, That is how they grade coins, by that light. Not your Kitchen or bedroom light. Try it and you'll see your coins all together differently. First time sucks, you will begin to see coins in a whole new light, you won't be so fast to buy because of what you think, you'll buy because of what you know will grade and be realistic if someone says it an MS 67, take 4 off and offer them that price. Works for me.

[@Ziggysdust-mb1jo]

Best comment. Period.

[@luminouspanther273]

The one from Craig’s list what tooled mean was someone took a tool and etched around the stars and edges of the eagle to make it stand out and look nicer.

[@giihaba3433]

Enjoyed watching your video. I hope you make more. It was different, Interesting, and fun to see how you were going to do. Thank you for sharing.

[@memoryrinehart4452]

Really enjoyed your vid. Thanks for sharing with us...despite the outcome. Best wishes.

[@stewdeezie1212]

I'm no expert in the coin world. But I was told by many of the older fellas that NGC is a better grading company than PCGS. And questionable color? Aren't they supposed to be the ones answering the questions?

[@sissyatwell861]

I would suggest a USB microscope and PCGS Photo Grading page to compare

[@harryporter3531]

Very happy with this and your part 1. They were very educational and informative, I liked following your thoughts before and after. I would have liked it if you had discussed the costs wrapped up in the grading process and why you chose PCGS over NGC. Looking forward to more vids like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@shepirate4651]

Great video! I'm super new at submitting coins to PCGS too. I'm learning a lot with these type of videos. Thanks for the info I really enjoyed the unboxing. Take care & I wish you the best of luck on your next submission. I'll be watching! :) GL & HH

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

PCGS is tough on grading. I have seen where people have a NGC slabbed coin say at MS-60 and come back from PCGS at AU-58. I wish your grades would of been better. So many people are disappointed with their grades from grading company's. It is a very good video. It is educational for all who wish to send their coins off for grading. Thanks for the great video and again sorry for the end results.

[@erikbrantner4295]

Yes so in other words, What you were saying is grading is subjective! Even between NGC and PCGS... So who's right and who's wrong between these two grading companies? They're opinion on grading is no more better than anyone else's except for the fact that they are a third party player!

[@wayneflemmer2607]

TOOLED refers to either the smoothing of a coin's fields to remove scratches, corrosion and other forms of damage or to the restoration of lost details through use of a graver or knife. When a single side of the coin is affected, the terms OBV TOOLED and REV TOOLED are used.

[@markanderson9061]

Phoenix collector checking in, good set of videos, Thanks!

[@cajuncoinhunter]

Ok I will comment and will be adding / editing this comment , so bear with me... The 50 Wheats are easy to get a good grade on the D and S mints..... The Philly's are more rare to get a high grade since they are kind of sloppy at that mint. I saw the 36 at that grade it's a great MS-63 for sure. I have a raw 54 S Wheaty that I thought was a MS-68, but looking at some PCGS slabbed coins on Ebay I changed my mind.....It's a 67 but I will never know cause i am not going to send it in with my W Lowell MS-67 quarter. They want me to be a member .... They mis lead me in a email saying they would give me a deal for a 20 dollar fee for grading my W quarter... The 1899 IHP maybe they thought it was dipped , not cleaned though. It would have come back CLEANED on the label.. I thought that was a straight up SLQ I thought cleaned when I saw it .....Bam I got that one ...Ok the second 1917 looked great to me , but the scratches on the reverse makes it Damaged or Graffiti ??...That's a 225.00 dollar coin Raw grade ..... NGC wouldn't give a graffiti grade ...Yes that 21 is well over 700 bux nice score on that one .. Raw price BTW... The Indian head nickel Is a straight up XF and I love the toning starting up on it ... I have a 30 S VF That has a lil over 5.4 million minted, Your 31 S is the only minted Buffalo nickel that was minted by only 1 mint that year, except for the 38 D over S which I don't see 2 mints for that 38 year....That's up in the air LOL... Barbers are my favorite, I only HAD 1 or 2 when I was younger.... A couple dimes from my Na Na (Godmother)in Cajun French .... She used to give me silver dimes for my B-Day and Christmas presents when I was a kid.... She knew I collected coins.... Ok now to the tooled, That means kind of improvements to the coin to maybe hide something or improve it ... IMHO ... Wow I thought the 1912 S half was gonna be Scratched details not cleaned .... SMH I like the Lady's ....LOL... Morgan's I mean .... THE 63 should be higher IMHO but it's hard for them to be higher for some dang reason .. Your 61 grade should be a notch above IMHO .... You have great coins right there... All of them are a venture back in time and you did a great video bringing us back in time with a lot of history Mon Ami .... I applaude you for that...

[@jeffdurden398]

Very nice thoughtful comment. I agree w/ you about PCGS, they are pretty clear that they don't want business from small guys. I've noticed they are getting sloppy about what they hang an MS-70 on too. Are there any grading services you like?

[@cajuncoinhunter]

@@jeffdurden398 If you want to resell slabbed coins go with PCGS their name sells coins... NGC if for your collection and also selling.... NGC does bring a price also....

[@scottholmes3385]

for the 1950-s, it graded a lot lower because of the big hit on lincoln's cheek. Thats a very grade-sensitive area on most coins, so you should make sure to check it before you buy a coin. Same with the 1936. There are tons of scratches on lincolns bust which is once again a grade-sensitive area. I recommend downloading the PCGS Photograde app, it really helped me because I used to struggle with grading. This is a great channel and I am a new sub.

[@ectogeoszethip136]

WHAT? DO YOU WORK FOR PCGS? SHILL!

[@kennethbutler1343]

Welcome to the second half of your grading education! I was an "expert" on MS Morgan dollar grades until I got actual grading. Then I really started to learn. As for your batch...well a worn shiny coin was obviously cleaned! And microscopic scratches all in the same direction is something PCGS won't ignore.

[@Boboedeloem]

I had a similar issue with ANACS. Had a half dime come back "scratched". I could not believe it until I examined the reverse, and there was the small scratch. They were right. I was not as diligent with the magnifier as the coin looked nice with dark original toning. I do struggle with the "Questionable color". I have never been able to find a definition for this designation.

[@TheAvenstar]

ANACS in my opinion is a far superior grader than PCGS.

[@erikbrantner4295]

Yes! And it is what it is! If there is some kind of noticable problem, like a scratch or something else even upon your own re-examination you may have missed, that's understandable. But some things are just not there.. And PCGS/NGC will have a tendency to low-ball certain things,even if it just not there! In my own experience upon closer re-examination...

[@angryjalapeno]

It is clear the first two are not 66. I have a Mercury 66 and the fields look almost flawless to the naked eye and the flaws that lower it to 66 can be seen only by tilting in light and looking carefully. I already see things easily in the fields of yours.

[@shawnjerome8599]

And yes your grandfather's coin was either cleaned or stored in properly and they gave it a some kind of toning but I believe it was cleaned myself and they can tell believe me they know their metal

[@sparkyjones560]

Yes. It was cleaned in an acid ad it turned the copper yellow. It's an off color. Really wrong. Like when a new penny goes in the laundry and looks pink. Can't fix that!

[@kaynefryday4720]

Hi mate, I’m in Australia, you are lucky that you have such a long history of coins in America. No silver to be found in our change. I live near Perth mint, I love it there it’s honestly awesome, they have gold nuggets as big as a apple and every size in between. But I’m there for the coins. Better luck on your next batch you send in.

[@e.jsnumismatics7741]

I find it helpful in determining if a coin is cleaned to take a picture. Also i would suggest a 10 power loupe and good lighting for grading. Hope this helps.

[@pauld8790]

Also when the coin looks too shiny for the condition and there's a lot of dirt in stars and crevices

[@pauld8790]

Worked at a coin shop and when you tell these people that walk in about there coins some get really mad

[@everettwhite9874]

Paul Dyche I can imagine them being mad partly at themselves for finding out that the coin they have isn’t what they thought it is, and upset that coin shop isn’t paying for coins in less than desirable conditions. That’ll drive a man to drink.

[@fifteenbyfive]

Thanks for sharing. I know it's disappointing and I can hear the frustration. Congrats on your '21 SL which paid for the submission expenses. I hope you don't regret it overall. It's a fun learning experience at the very least. You have some beautiful coins here and I would definitely have sent them off too. I'm getting ready for my first coin submission and I'm thinking I can take the slow boat at NGC for around $30/coin, all in.

[@billyazprospector]

I've done the NGC route as well. Happy both directions!

[@rdubstacks1289]

Thanks for the "What did they GRADE' videos. I just got back from a two day seminar at the FUN Show in Orlando. The course instructors where two guys that that have either worked at PCGS or now work at PCGS they have graded hundreds of thousands of coins. In short, the two guys cannot even conclude the same grade for a coin (most of the time). We graded many series of coins and I only got about 25% correct (the exact grade). A very good person who grades at PCGS is correct about 68% of the time (this is what my instructor told us). I will never buy an ungraded coin (unless of course the coin value of really low). In short, coin grading is extremely subjective! My instructor also told us that he cracks out coins and resubmits and resubmits until he gets the grade he was looking for.

[@billyazprospector]

RDub Stacks great insight! May just have to break some out!!

[@Janet_Airlines802]

Thanks for video. I was think about getting the platinum membership that comes with voucher for ten grades. Do they charge extra fees on top of just grading?

[@billyazprospector]

No, Just shipping and handling. - I went with Platinum

[@henokbrewington1454]

I really enjoyed this video and the part 1 as well. I’m very new to coin collecting and my “collection “ is very modest with about 200 coins of which only a few are in pristine condition and none are graded. But I’ve had such a blast learning about the coins, their origins and designers. Not to mention trying to figure out their ballpark values and determining their rarity. PCGS has a few great mobile apps that have done a lot to educate me and I’m grateful. But when I checked into the prices they charge for grading I realized this would probably take a lot of the fun out of the hobby for me. Chasing the super high grade coins is a quick way to spend way more money than most of us have to play with and when you think you may have something special and it turns out to have some issue or another like you encountered the fun that one once had turns negative. I have a 1876-s trade dollar that I love dearly. It’s probably one of my more valuable coins. I’ve thought about having it graded but it would no doubt score very low because it’s been around, like most coins, not sitting in someone’s collection. Had it been in a collection I probably could never have afforded it. I guess it is because people collect for different reasons and I’m having a hard time understanding how some collectors who, for example, only buy graded coins are able to really enjoy this hobby. But like I said, I’m new to this and can’t imagine doing it if it wasn’t so much fun with little risk or expense. Happy hunting!

[@rayman46]

Thank you for sharing .

[@TheAvenstar]

WOW -- at 3:25 -- gorgeous cent, man! looks a solid 66 or better; at 4:25 the '36 looks so much nicer than that. You have to start counting every single little speck you can see with a heavy maginifier, more than one or two (especially in the fields) and the swoon is on! At 5:50 the Indian cent is just too darn out of this world! Fabulous color, fabulous strike. Hell, it don't belong to one of them or their top dealer -- It's so gorgeous it might be a fake! (Yeah, right.) At 8:40 grafitti ...are you kidding me? At 9:50 I don't agree again, but the other way -- I'd have given that an 8 (the reverse was a lot better than the obverse.) at 10:20 Nice going! At 19:10 the Morgan had minimal bag marks and deserved a 64 -- the fields were even nicer; At 19:40 same with the other Morgan. By PCGS own photograde standards your Morgans looked a full grade higher than what they got. This was a perfect example of why I can't stand PCGS. If you could resubmit them again, they'd all come back different.

[@kaynefryday4720]

That’s what I say, crack them and keep sending them in until you get the grade you like.

[@tomkirby3281]

I'm seeing a line around the left wing of your tooled bust half. That might me why it got that designation.

[@stefanschleps8758]

The high-points should have a higher reflectivity. But on that penny the low spots are bright and the high spots are dark. Maybe that's what they meant, or it had a little dipping in acetone.

[@niftynastynight]

Those items are beautiful dude... ✔

[@chuckcheatham4822]

absolutely hilarious.. thanks. crack the few on the bunk list and send them off again.

[@ericcasagrande]

Tooled just means someone had used a mechanical means to buff out a damaged or faulty area of the coin. As it relates to cleaned coins, if the outer field is dark around the lettering or images .. but then lighter in the open areas, you could almost bet it was cleaned. Buying ungraded coins and having them graded is nearly always a crapshoot. You are better off just buying the coin already graded. That way there is less drama and more enjoyment. 😃

[@therealdandyhouse]

As soon as ya showed the 1917 SLQ I said cleaned. It's very obvious by the fields it was cleaned.

[@scottrew175]

I thought the same thing exactly.

[@billiejeanthejellybean2536]

6:12 did Lincoln put on a headdress lol. The questionable color thing is pretty stupid. It's just old toning. PCGS needs to lay off with the questionable color thing. I do see why all the Lincoln cents Graded how they did though.

[@lostforwords2946]

We learn from our mistakes brother...keep on keeping on.

[@greg-ml7fp]

Enjoyed the video.

[@coinsearcher9635]

When you get your coins back as tooled. It means its been Polished, scratched or well... Tooled with.

[@samsmobilepressurewashing8422]

When PCGS refers to "tooled" that can mean certain types of scratches but more of a gouge in order to alter the coin. With early halves such as the capped bust series, people use to shave the edges to slowly accumulate silver. Did you check the edge to see if it still had lettering?

[@erikbrantner4295]

Don't see the "tooled"as is mentioned on the 1830, But again, and I said it before, I'm apprehensive about sending anything to NGC or PCGS for grading anymore... I'll keep a lot of stuff RAW rather than in a PCGS/NGC holder for fear of... detail grading! You might consider a crack out of some of those that didn't straight grade with PCGS and submit them to ANACS... See what they call it.

[@boobooboogoo]

Great video I learned a lot from it thank you so much

[@billyazprospector]

Glad to hear it!

[@rickpix-place-krabi1344]

Hi, I’m sending in two groupings of 1909 1C to 1955, 18 total. Very curious to see what’s the surprise gradings will be.

[@garyheimeyer137]

Enjoyed the video , I'm a coin collector as well. I used to buy raw coins and have them graded by PCGS and I know your frustration . I still have raw coins graded from time to time but not very often,it's to much hit and miss,for me it was more miss than hits.You still got some nice coins,congratulations on the 1921 standing that was pretty much a grand slam. Thanks again for the video. ✌

[@billyazprospector]

Thank you, hope to have more in the future...

[@barrybarney6085]

Oh and you have yourself a perfect Holliday Season.

[@lostforwords2946]

I would love to own @ couple of the old coins. The true value is within its history! Especially your Grandfathers beautiful coin.

[@roundedrob1483]

I enjoyed this video while I was organizing my own coin collection.

[@billyazprospector]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bobdooley9646]

How much did it cost for the grading of all the coins and how long did it take to get them back?

[@billyazprospector]

It’s about $40 per coin after shipping and can take about 30days

[@SilverStarz]

Cool video, great channel, thank you. Subscribed.

[@TIOMKIN1]

Excellent Video. Thanks. Out.

[@MrPacopoker]

refers to either the smoothing of a fields to remove scratches, corrosion and other forms of damage or to the restoration of lost details through use of a graver or knife. When a single side of the is affected, the terms OBV and REV are used.

[@coinaz]

Nice Video

[@JP-jh6ww]

Thanks for the cool video

[@zeppefan]

The gold toning on the 1899 says it may have been cleaned with brasso, or silver jewelry cleaner..

[@dancincrow]

Why did you use PCGS rather than NGC? Just curious as I'm new to collecting. Was it because you got a VERY cool plastic slab box? (just kidding on that one but I wish NGC had the same instead of cardboard).

[@billyazprospector]

I just happen to have certificates to have some coins graded... I have a recent video that shows sending off to NGC, go check that out...

[@chrisr3146]

not sure about pcgs but ngc has an option where you can send it back for regarding if you don't agree with their grade

[@Ombras]

Tooled is when a coin has had details either reengraved, or enhanced, with an engraving tool or by other mechanical means.

[@CapAnson12345]

I really like that 1908 Barber. For some reason that jumps out at me.

[@Joshua-ew6ks]

What is the purpose of grading a coin if it costs you more to have it graded then you get if you sell it? Since you have to factor in the cost you bought it for.

[@billyazprospector]

Lessons learned, NOT worth it and don't risk it!

[@crewmax4240]

Good video for a newbie. Thanks!

[@billyazprospector]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angryjalapeno]

The standing liberty with "graffiti" is still beautiful though. I would buy it for $40 sure. BTW a quick search finds a 1895 Morgan graded by PCGS as Proof/Graffiti/VF detail that was sold for $28,500.

[@russellb2464]

Thats bc it's a proof nerd

[@brumels1570]

@@russellb2464 The point is graffiti isnt the end of the world, dummy. And btw a proof doesnt always make iit significantly more valuable.

[@russellb2464]

@@brumels1570 a proof morgan doesnt make it significantly more expensive than a business strike? Is that what you're saying?

[@russellb2464]

@@brumels1570 details coins for any reason are worth half or less a straight graded coin. Your statements make it pretty apparent that you don't know much about the hobby. Q David Bowers has a book called the guide to morgan silver dollars or something to that effect. I recommend it highly.

[@peterholman6071]

I agree with you on the pennies. I won't buy an unslabbed coin. I would rather buy one high quality coin than 10 xf ones.

[@nicolasrossi5978]

May I suggest the book 'Photograde" extremely helpful as you are learning and beyond (probably the best grading reference book you could buy!). Remember ,"buy the book first, then the coin".

[@antoniusbritannia8217]

Agreed! I will say, even for experienced numismatists telling the difference between a MS 64-66 can be difficult.

[@samgardner4667]

They also make an app. That’s what I use. The book is good too, offers more examples I think

[@samgardner4667]

Antonius Britannia Not really

[@schmidt1338]

PCGS has wild variances in grading standards. Its amazing to me that they are still accepted as the "leaders" in this space. They must be hiring in-experienced minimum-wage graders

[@ladyfrederick788]

Do you know of better grading options? I'm also not sure how to get an official value on the ones I have that aren't great condition, but have a unique error I haven't seen elsewhere

[@schmidt1338]

@@ladyfrederick788 unfortunately PCGS is your best bet. Unless you are in Canada, in which case ICCS is known to be more consistent, albeit more strict. Feel free to reach out via PM with any questions regarding your coins!

[@samgardner4667]

Minimum wage graders? They advertise those jobs for low six figures all the time.

[@silverlover5817]

You paid $10 for the Morgen coin? Which year was that? They are selling for $30 online now!

[@coindude4837]

You did get a few odd grades. At least you had a few really nice ones. If it helps any just know it was enjoyable watching your video. I was rooting for you the whole time. I’m a new subscriber. Semper Fidelis

[@billyazprospector]

Hey thanks! I just really like coins and enjoy them... I am in agreement with you on the odd grades. Let me know if you have any thoughts to the questions.

[@bradmoberly6164]

Tough break man.

[@vincenttimothytropa6087]

Just asking sir, having 18 steps at the penny can be valuable ?

[@paulperea5350]

Indian head looked awesome! I bet that was MS65+

[@CashMeadows]

Love that1921 quarter!!! I just bought one too. I think its F15. Im sending it in along with some others. I was hoping you might share howmuch it cost to grade this batch. I have been buying up 05 micro O dimes and know i have damaged/cleaned ones. But I want slabs. Last time i used PCGS cleaned coins came back body bagged w no grade or genuine lable. They just took themoney and sent coins back that they deemed cleaned in a bag. What did you pay and what did you have to do to insure slabs? I paid 285 for my 21 Standing Lib. Hope i get F and no issues. All coins have been cleaned. Its just to what degree and how abrasive. The one you got certainly looked original. But im sure they magnify and can see theswipe marks.

[@zackjones8556]

interesting that they put them into the body bags, those are just to be used for not genuine or counterfeit coins

[@PlootoOW]

You got completely rim jobbed by PCGS

[@RambosCollectibles]

try ANACS.. though i like PCGS too for some coins and anacs for others and NGC for my most prized. ICG for when im having heart surgery and my great grandson mails them thei accidently

[@kozmickarmakoala3526]

@@RambosCollectibles *~XD* LMAO !!! *~:)

[@andawg221]

@@RambosCollectibles comment made my day... Damn kids!

[@RambosCollectibles]

i come back and laugh at my own comment lol

[@RambosCollectibles]

the only problem w. anacs is they do not grade coins above a certain width which is kinda stupid

[@johnlarson948]

My friend if graded coins is what you're after go buy them quit wasting your time and energy in all the unknowns of the world you will get what you want when you buy what you want

[@billyazprospector]

Word!

[@thegun1649]

John Larson I totally agree. These graders are scamming the collectors. Pay for play.

[@josepha9313]

If you spend time to learn a specific US series of coin and learning to grade coins, you can do okay buying raw and getting them slabbed; overall, I felt this was just a random submission to see what would happen; he did do okay with the quarters.

[@2dfan942]

But, to be fair, it creates a sense of surprise when he checks the grades

[@margaretstoner4701]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[@jeffw1267]

I've returned to this after some months to look at the coins again. How is the 1950-S a 64, while the 1936 is a 63? I mean, the '36 has a few small hits (more like tiny hits, really) but the strike and luster are great. I've seen MS66s that look worse than that so-called MS63 1936 Lincoln.

[@andrewhart6200]

You should go look at videos of younger coin collectors who use acid to make the letters that were originally un-seeable come back somehow...Because honestly those coins(1830 half dollars) are nearly impossible to find without some issues - after all, it's been around for nearly 2 centuries - in that time there's too many hands on something that can and will mess it up - ya know? GL HF - Truthfully, THE DEEP END of the coin world is those older coins - recognize that it is what it is and wait to get involved until you're there ya know?

[@menotyou7762]

send them to NGC and see what they say? maybe the best advice here is what beginners should listen too, That is "don't be emotionally attached to your coins" That 1999 looked good though so I would certainly have another doctor look at your patient so to speak

[@jankospalace]

Love me some standings & barbers, nice coins

[@johnhanaly2943]

The PCGS attitude: IT'S ALL THE SUBMITTER'S FAULT!

[@beav1962]

Ouch. I feel for you; but this is exactly why I don't send in any of my Morgans for grading. Even light cleaning will show up under high magnification. These coins may have changed hands several times and the person you got them from may not have been the one who cleaned / tooled / graffitied them. After grading fees and purchase price, and unless you got a deal on the purchase, it is expensive to grade. Either way, I enjoyed the vid, and the education.

[@slicksilver9441]

What do they mean by "graffiti"?

[@texaslockpicker7123]

I think “tooled” means that someone went over with a blade to sharpen the edges

[@sumdood2035]

where did you get Morgans for $10? They seem to bottom out at $20 in cull condition, to $30 in relatively low grade on eBay.

[@billyazprospector]

I scored only a few of those from either pawn shops or collection buyouts. Before all the stay at home stuff I scored some nice Morgan culls for $16

[@sumdood2035]

@@billyazprospector not bad at all. A Morgan has about $13 in melt value, and some numismatic value, even as a Cull.

[@HDshovelEd]

Wow, think that would detour me some bit, to send in coins to be graded... thanks for sharing ... I have a 1858 flying eagle one cent and a 1834 25C. that I'd like to get authenticated too... but I'm still shying away from getting them slabbed. May just go thru ANACS?

[@rosiefelder6542]

Say I have a question do these grading companies switch your coins and they keep your coin or what

[@ronbecker7657]

First thing I said when you pulled out your coin from Grandpa was cleaned

[@billjversion2451]

You got some horrible grades, thanks for sharing. Better luck next time, if there is a next time.

[@jmy7622]

That old half is tooled on wings , you were right . I think coins are priced too high for many

[@roughroadrunner88]

Tnx 4 sharing

[@zackjones8556]

oh and btw you wanted a rough estimate on the 1830 small o half dollar well at $126 in VF it would roughly sell for $50

[@dongreenlee675]

Tooled means cleaned, the shiny parts of the "busty half dollar on both sides say tooled or polished or cleaned.

[@undefinedsilver6089]

Billy, you got hosed on the 1899 Indian Head penny! For sure! US!

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

No. That coin looked screwed with

[@davidstowe5652]

You can get electronica one of the 125 X I mean showing on your script computer screen

[@zeppefan]

Pcgs will slab any genuine coin, the defects will determine the grade. You paid way too much for ungraded coins.

[@josepchwill1304]

Also, on the topic of "Genuine coins" that 1830, I would try to sell it for at least 75% of what the value would be for a number of grade vf. In my case, I do keep a lot of my "Genuine" coins for myself.

[@annamJacoby]

This was very helpful to me - an armchair change collector. Is there any hope for us??

[@dieselbrenden3645]

For the Indian head penny if you look at it in the right light you can see streaks all over the front

[@jeffw1267]

That is not unusual in itself. Lots of Indians show that woodgrain pattern (I have high-end 65s that look like that). It's just that the color is a bit strange. If the color were more natural, the coin would have terrific eye appeal. It looks good even now.

[@casst346]

tooled can be a few things but essentially taking a tool and scribing or otherwise altering the coin in some way with a tool...punching a hole in it., filing the edges etc..

[@billyazprospector]

BTW... I never did hear back from Liberty Coin in California on the cleaned and damaged coin I purchased from them.

[@memoryrinehart4452]

billyazprospector And you probably never will. It's a mine field out there. A bit like the stock market but not quite as treacherous.

[@JP-jh6ww]

What does it cost to get coins graded? What happens if you send in coins that are worth less than the grading fee?

[@billyazprospector]

It usually is about $45 after full turn around and shipping expenses - AND yes you just lose money like I did here in some cases because the coins were worth far less than the grade and cost to have them graded!

[@darlene7847]

What tier are you using $60 express $150 walk through or what?

[@billyazprospector]

Hi, I used my free ones with my platinum subscription and the. Paid the rest as normal like $32 avg per coin.

[@floridacoin8184]

Go to ANA's Summer seminar in July and take coin grading part1. Then next summer take part2 ,and then part 3. Going to cost you a couple thousand each year, but youll never buy a cleaned coin ever again.

[@brictator]

I know the feeling. NGC sends my coins back "rim filing, clipped, cleaned, ex jewelry, brushed, surface hairlines, excessive surface hairlines, reverse scratched" It leaves you with more respect for the problem free coins

[@markwilliams9487]

Hi, what about the pricing of the graded coins? How do you know the value?

[@iccoins6705]

Prices are listed in the PCGS Price Guide based on the grade.

[@beav1962]

Yes, like most popular collectibles, there are price guides. However, guide prices aren't what the items are selling for.

[@paulperea5350]

Tooled mean details where put bock on coin with a fine tool.

[@billyazprospector]

wow, crazy, thanks!

[@andrewhart6200]

Who'd you buy from online on Ebay just out of curiosity...Vette1986 seems safe so far and has great definitions of which are polished/cleaned and which aren't

[@billyazprospector]

It's just a small end user, not a large seller. I actually bought some meteorites from him, and just happen to go back and see he had coins listed