Has anyone ever sent anything to PCGS for grading, paid for the variety attribution, only to have nothing added to the label? Its frustrating. I saw a comment today from another member about this same issue so I just wanted to write a quick post about it and my experience with it. A couple years ago I sent a few coins to PCGS for re-holdering. One of them was a Morgan Dollar with a distinct VAM that doubled its value so I wanted that VAM added to the PCGS holder label. I researched it on the Coin Facts section of the website, grabbed the PCGS number, and wrote up the grading form. I received the coin back with a new holder and a bill for the full amount but no attribution! I called them because I figured it was a mistake. They told me "we don't attribute that VAM". This made no sense to me at all. Its on Coin Facts and there is a PCGS number for it! The person I spoke with agreed with me and put in a case for the issue. After about 3 to 4 phone calls, I finally had someone explain it to me that understood why this happened. Although PCGS recognizes the VAM, they do not attribute all VAM's on the holder. One thing I asked them to do different is if someone like myself who knew what the VAM was and wrote the PCGS number plus the VAM # on the order form, PCGS should have the courtesy to reach out to the customer prior to doing the work to let them know that VAM isn't going to be on the holder label. They do have a list of VAM's they do not attribute on holders and it is on their site (kinda hidden). Going forward, I make sure PCGS will add the variety to the holder label before sending it in. Here is a list of VAM's PCGS does attribute https://www.pcgs.com/vamvarieties
Has anyone ever sent anything to PCGS for grading, paid for the variety attribution, only to have nothing added to the label? Its frustrating. I saw a comment today from another member about this same issue so I just wanted to write a quick post about it and my experience with it. A couple years ago I sent a few coins to PCGS for re-holdering. One of them was a Morgan Dollar with a distinct VAM that doubled its value so I wanted that VAM added to the PCGS holder label. I researched it on the Coin Facts section of the website, grabbed the PCGS number, and wrote up the grading form. I received the coin back with a new holder and a bill for the full amount but no attribution! I called them because I figured it was a mistake. They told me "we don't attribute that VAM". This made no sense to me at all. Its on Coin Facts and there is a PCGS number for it! The person I spoke with agreed with me and put in a case for the issue. After about 3 to 4 phone calls, I finally had someone explain it to me that understood why this happened. Although PCGS recognizes the VAM, they do not attribute all VAM's on the holder. One thing I asked them to do different is if someone like myself who knew what the VAM was and wrote the PCGS number plus the VAM # on the order form, PCGS should have the courtesy to reach out to the customer prior to doing the work to let them know that VAM isn't going to be on the holder label. They do have a list of VAM's they do not attribute on holders and it is on their site (kinda hidden). Going forward, I make sure PCGS will add the variety to the holder label before sending it in. Here is a list of VAM's PCGS does attribute https://www.pcgs.com/vamvarieties
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First, the Customer Service at all the TPG’s have been very good. The Coin Graders, and Finalizers are at fault; in my opinion, and put them in a poor position.
I struggle each time I submit tokens. I believe hubris, ego, pride, and elitism of some of the Graders is to blame. Along with a “Puppy Mill” mentality to grading.
When I hear Morgan dollar, probably one of, if not the most collected series currently has problems, then I should not be surprised my “Conder” niche collection fairs even less well.
My proof is the last submission to PCGS. Submitted a token Ayrshire D&H-3a (clearly annotated on the submission form). It came back an Ayrshire D&H-3. The difference is the D&H-3 is struck in collar (like cents and nickels) with the D&H-3a not in collar. See the pictures.
It is a shame their grading and Quality Assurance is that bad. I have worked QA for decades and in my industry this would shut a process down until it was fixed. However, nothing but pushback from Graders and Finalizers.