My first experience with PCGS restoration services was not good. I had never sent a coin in for grading but I had a coin with what looked like possibly a foreign substance on the fields (dirt, dust, grime, schmag) and some toning, which was fine. It was obviously a high mint state (if it qualified for a grade) and could have had a value of greater than $10,000 after comparing with PCGS Photograde™. If it had been improperly cleaned, which couldn’t be determined under magnification and different lighting (at least by me), then the coin would have had a value of maybe $400. I really couldn’t get a feel for what it would come back as… anywhere from “UNC Details” to MS67+
Since it was the first coin that I intended to send in, I sent it alone and I had it insured for the maximum feasible value because I inherited the coin and was concerned that it could get lost or damaged during transit or processing. I also insured it for a high value because their form states that the declared value "... is for estimating insurance purposes only.” When I got the coin and paperwork back, it received “PCGS Genuine – Cleaning UNC Details,” which wasn’t entirely unexpected. However, instead of being charged the $30 minimum since that was greater than the standard 2% of the fair market value, I was charged 2% of the declared value, which they state is for “… insurance purposes only.” I called to dispute the charge. They then offered to only charge me for a different service (Express maybe?), but I said, “No. If I wanted Express Service, I would have done that.” It felt like a bait and switch. They said that a manager would call me back that day or the next. They didn’t call me back. A week later, I called again. Manager was busy and they said one was going to call me that day. They didn’t. I called several days later, talked the situation over with the manager, and the manager agreed to charge me the $30 minimum, as I expected, but told me that I was wrong. I told them that their form states that the declared value is for estimating insurance coverage only and that if they intend to use the declared value for determining fees when a coin doesn’t qualify for a grade, then they need to tell their customers that. After a month, I still hadn’t received a refund of the overcharged fees. I called again to say, “What gives?” They then refunded the money within the day. I’ve got 4 vouchers with them and I haven’t sent them another coin, even though I’ve got several that I’d like to send in, because it left a bad taste in my mouth. I may just go with NGC.
So my advice is that if you go with PCGS, just be careful about what you state as the declared value and make sure that you have a good feel for that when you send them in. Or, just go with NGC. That’s my only experience and my coin was non-dug. Hopefully some others will chime in about their dug coins. Good luck!
Kindest regards,
Kantuck
