TPRC

Well, that is nice to know. I read the explanation ATS, perhaps before it was corrected, and I bought it. Nice to be corrected before I spread the word. Thanks.

Good question as I have a set of these myself and I am considering having them graded. So far, I have held off. First, the goldine and silver ones tend to bring more money. My gut tells me it depends on the grade. Many are high grade, so at MS-67 or better, it would seem to be a no brainer to have professionally graded before you sell. Below that, its anybody's guess. I cannot tell from your pics. The bottom pic looks like it has spots, which I suspect would limit your grade to 65 or less. In that case, it likely isn't worth the money.

I was criticized a bit for my post on this topic so I thought I owed posters/responders an update. The coin was a 1903-O GSA Hard Pack Dollar. I originally only wanted to understand how best to submit it, but my inquiry was broader than that-too broad. Also, I did not want to provide a ton of details because I was intending to sell it. I tried to send it in as a straight grade in the PCGS graded case but NGC would not do that and advised it could only be treated as a cross-over (unless I cracked it out of the PCGS encasement myself, which I was afraid to do.) So, we modified it to cross at any grade. It did not upgrade but crossed at the original 62 grade and I sold it. 61s, 62s 63s and 64s do go for decent differentials, so it was worth the try at the upgrade. Overall, I was pleased with the result and I still believe that NGC graded GSA hard packs are preferable.

It looks obviously cleaned to me, but it also looks like 55 or 58 details. I don't think any of the grading services give a details grade more precise than au or unc. and it is not unc. It is not a coin for me, as it is just too shiny and obviously cleaned, but from a details standpoint, it is a high end au. It is not exceptional because it's been cleaned. I wouldn't call it a dud, but I suppose that depends upon what you paid for it.

Thank you. I never knew that. I am going to call tomorrow just to ensure I can do it that way, but if it is so, as it appears to be, that is exactly what I will do. And I'll post an update either way when I have completed this process and sold the item..

It will not grade like that. It is PVC. You can take it off with an acetone soak probably, but there may be some permanent damage underneath it.

Understanding that it is impossible to grade from a photo, and given the smuts that appears on the coin, I am between a 3 and a 4, and I am inclined toward a 63.

I was not aware that that was an option. Is it?

Well, it does look like a proof but it is an impaired proof based upon the light hair lining on the right field, on the breast and on the leg. Having said that, I feel like I've seen worse in 61 or 62 holders. But I'll go Proof 58.

I'd rather not identify the coin right now. I will say that I also have more faith in the ATS graders than most do for most U.S. coins, and that is also a consideration, though I have heard (but do not know) that NGC GSAs do better than ATS GSAs, even in full encapsulation. And you are correct in noting that it could come back as a 60 or 61, and that is certainly a chance that I would have to take. But I have been grading a long time and I think this is a 62 with a real shot at 63 and nicer than many 63s I have seen. All I am suggesting is that I am considering cracking it if I can do so easily and sending it in with several other GSAs. I would save on an extra submission form and fee, and it could be done more easily. But I am not a GSA guy and I don't even know if I should save the box and papers, as I have also heard that folks like to keep those with the coins. Thank you for your comments and I'll consider posting at a later date. For now, I will assume that no one has cracked out a GSA fully encapsulated from ATS and that was my primary question

OK, I don't really wish to fight about that as nothing is automatic and the coin is the coin, right? And I mean to say if it crosses to NGC and goes up a point it is worth 1k more. Auction records support my position. In addition, I really like the look of NGC GSA's better and I have been told that NGC GSAs do better and are more widely accepted. They certainly are more common.

not for this one-1k differential

62 And I consider myself a pretty good grader.

Well, that is the $64,000 question. I have never done it, but it does not look difficult. There appears to be a foam insert between the ATS outer casing and the GSA holder, so it looks easy. I have cracked out many coins in all types of holders without a single incident, but as the ATS holders are a unusual, I thought. I would ask.

It looks au-ish with a possible obverse wipe. I think it's pretty but numismatically, I think its a bullion piece.