Ever Send in a Coin Because You Knew Nothing About it?

[gmarguli]

Have you ever sent in a coin because you knew nothing about it and were curious?

 

I've had this coin for probably 10-15 years and I never could figure out what it was. I thought it was Greek, but it wasn't listed there. A pattern? Something rare? I had no clue. The only thing I did know is that it was in exceptional condition (which is why I bought it) and I needed a 5th coin for the World Value tier. So off it went to NGC.

 

I said it was from Greece and sent it off and waited for my major numismatic rarity to return. I had visions of its picture hanging on a 40 foot banner at coins shows next to TDN's 1885 Trade Dollar. Well, the coin came back today and my rarity is actually from Cyprus. Shockingly enough, it isn't worth a lot of money. Now that I know what it is and have the KM number, I looked it up. 1,750,000 minted with a value of $2 in unc.

 

I guess I'm going to have to keep searching until I hit the jackpot. Oh well, I'm still holding out hope that TDN will adopt me...

 

 

[EZ_E]

I've never done that before but I think that it's a great idea! I have a few odds and ends (especially tokens) that I have no idea what they are. I've had them since I was a kid.

[chrisfuccione]

The first coin I ever got slabbed was a NH State Quarter with a filled die(no mint mark). I showed it to a few dealers and they did not know what is was. So they had me send it to PCI necause they were the cheapest. CHRIS

[EZ_E]

I like that idea. Do all grading companies grade foreign coins and tokens?

[GP_]

Never did that, but that is a cool looking coin

[jtryka]

I did that with a Kennedy I got in circulation that was smaller size, thought it might be a rare and valuable error, but it turned out to be cut down and re-reeded (have no clue why someone would spend the time and effort to do that!), bb'ed by ANACS. I think it's a good idea, unfortunately, it is sometimes prohibitive on the cost. Which reminds me, I have a French copper coin dated 1587 that's about the size of a cent, I paid $1 for it about 20 years ago, but I never have figured out what it is. Perhaps that will go in someday!

[nwcs]

I've thought about doing that, too. I have two coins I really cannot identify. They're actually posted in the ask world coin expert. Basically, one of them is German and they nailed it pretty well overall. The other, no one knows from the picture. The best clue I had was that it was German or a medal. Heck if I know. Maybe I'll send it in and really give the world coin people a challenge!

[gmarguli]

I like that idea. Do all grading companies grade foreign coins and tokens?

 

No. PCGS doesn't grade tokens at all. They have a list of which foreign countries they grade.

 

NGC grades more foreign countries than PCGS and they also grade earlier coins. They have a list of which foreign countries they grade. They also grade some tokens, such as Civil WarTokens in the Fuld book and Hard Times Tokens in the Low/Rulau book.

 

ANACS grades practically every country as long as it will fit in a slab. They also grade many tokens, but I do not know which ones.

[Hoot]

I have not yet gone to the extreme you have Greg, but I've been tempted with a late 19th century Penny from somewhere in the south pacific. However, I just sent in an 1827 1 cent piece and put it in for the variety attribution service. I figure, why not? Truth is, I have no idea what NGC uses to attribute early copper varieties!

 

Hoot

[braddick]

I've done that, and still do. In fact I've got a submission in right now of 22 whacky "coins" but they're into SEGS. I've learned that SEGS will grade/holder practically ANYTHING. I've sent them Gallery Mint errors/ rainbow toned silver rounds and odds and ends.

I even have a (legit) FN12 or so 1986 Liberty Modern Commemorative into SEGS.

 

This is a good Thread Greg. You've touched upon one of my favorite parts of this hobby. FUN COINS. Stuff off of bidboards and such.

My BEST find was a bidboard coin that turned out to be a 1964 authenticate COPPER Kennedy. I had it graded/holdered way back in 1991 by PCI (back when they knew what they were doing). When it was raw ANACS gave a verbal they thought it was real at Long Beach. The Grader checked it under strong magnification and stated the strike was superior due to the softness of copper vs. silver.

Cool stuff!