Wihlborg

I have had coins regraded that upgraded and some that didn't.

I've also crossed NGC graded coins to PCGS and had them upgraded in the process. Similarly, I've had coins not cross. I've had coins regraded that didn't upgrade which really should have (this is not hopeful thinking).

This sums up my experience as well. I’ve had many coins upgrade when sent in while still in the holder, but I’ve also has some that needed to be sent in more then once or cracked out to get the upgrade and as you said Mike these were not ‘a hope & a prayer’ type of coins.

I used to believe that the outcome did not matter at all if you sent a coin in while still in the holder or not, however my thinking has changed about that over the years. I now believe that you probably do have a slightly better chance of a coin upgrading the first time through if it is cracked out of the holder and sent in raw, but as others have said there can be considerable down side risk in doing so.

Of course this whole topic is dependent upon the coin(s) ACTULLY being worthy of upgrading. As the saying goes ‘ownership adds a point to the grade’ and I’m sure that the TPG’s get many coins sent in by owners who believe their coins are under graded when in fact they are not.

John

Very nice franklins guy’s.

Thanks for the comments about the coin guys. That was one of those ‘take a chance on a raw coin with a bad picture on eBay’ coins. Needless to say, I was quite pleased when I saw it in hand. Its now in a NGC holder graded MS-65.

John

John

No need to apologize for showing that coin no matter how many times Tom.

Here is one that I’ve shown before and you have seen in person.

John

John

Winston,

Nice coins, but wow! Your picture taking abilities sure have gotten to be impressive.

I really like the ’48 cent, but then like you said it came from Hoot.

John

That is a wonderful coin Amanda! It looks like there's nothing but honest wear on that one.

Congrats.

John

I thought I recognized that telltale look of aluminum.

Actually, I have quite a few world coins and a medal or two that were struck in aluminum and I’ve taken a likening to such pieces.

Cool coin you have there Mark.

John

Boiler,

Is that coin struck in aluminum?

John

toyo,

Wow, that '38 is nice! Did Jeremy give you a photo of the reverse also? If so, I love to see it.

John

Sound good to me.

John

I'm as calm as a cucumber.

John

My judgment of how I believe Chad will feel about the coin is based upon reading many of his posts, as well a few PM’s that I have had with him. Pm’s that you were not privy to I might add. You really have no idea what I based my judgment on.

John

That sure is one Hoot of a coin Lee!

John

Zoins,

Chad, you, or anyone else can buy whatever type of coins you like and if the person is proud of what they bought that’s great, but if that same person then posts a coin with multiple, major problems and asks what we think about it, it would be doing that person a disservice to be untruthful and pretend that the coin was fine. This is especially true if that person is a young collector.

You seem to have taken exception to what I wrote to Chad, but I notice you never mentioned what you think about the coin, so let me ask you what do you think about it. Is that a coin that you would recommend someone buy?

John

Don't you mean he will never have a collection that other people will approve of? He seems to like it perfectly fine which is fine as long as he doesn't dramatically overpay. The nice thing about collecting is that you can upgrade the coins over time.

No, that is not what I mean. I chose my words carefully and meant exactly what I wrote.

John

Well Chad, you asked if we liked it. Some of us took the time to offer opinions and advice. Whether you want to take that advice is up to you.

It’s your money you are spending, and it’s your coin, so if you like it that’s fine by me.

John

Chad,

I also don’t like the coin at all, and would never have bought it. There is no need for me to go into why because Tom has already covered anything I would have told you.

One thing I will say, and it pains me to say it, is that you will never have a collection you can be proud of if you continue to buy the way you are now. The nicest collections are those that consist of quality coins assembled by collectors who take their time and wait for the right coin before buying. This is true regardless of the grade or prices of the coins that makeup the collection.

Slow down, take your time, the coins will be there. Save your money for quality coins, even if it means that your collection is smaller and you go longer between purchasing coins.

I don’t say this to be hurtful in any way and sincerely hope you take some time to think about the advice that some of us are giving you.

John

John, I've always found the Wisconsin half to be oddly attractive, what with the dung heap and all, and the images of your coin certainly make it look like

Tom, thank god you finished that sentence with 'an MS66/MS67 piece.'

John

Thanks Bruce.

John

I picked this up at the monthly Parsippany N.J. coin show today. Its in a PCGS holder graded MS-66.

Although I’m not happy with my photographs of it, this is a stunningly beautiful coin. It is blast white with a sharp strike and very nice cartwheel luster. The coin has a smooth, creamy look to it, and is very clean mark wise. In fact, any marks that you can see in the photos are actually either die polish or scratches on the holder. This is truly a PQ coin, one that I believe could easily be graded MS-67 on any given day and not look out of place in such a holder.

John

Picked it up raw, just came back from certification:

That's the way to do it.

Congrats

John

John

Thanks again for the combined image Bruce.

John

John