Serious Question - What do you guys recommend?

[Kazkaz27]

Is a coin more valuable graded or in its original packaging? Pros and Cons? What do you personally prefer?

[1715523189]

1715523189

[1715523189]

1715523189

[owlcatz]

Is a coin more valuable graded or in its original packaging? Pros and Cons? What do you personally prefer?

Graded. Always, unless that "original" packaging is something ultra special I guess to give it more value without being taken out.

Ungraded coins carry the risk that they are not as good in quality as they may seem from pics alone, IF you are planning on getting them graded and expect some sort of grade greater than MS(X).... Ask anyone who's gotten raw coins graded i guess? ...

Disclaimer, I'm not here to argue with you about your denarium-delusions -  you asked a simple question, I gave a simple answer. Cheers.

[Cryptogreatdane]

For the gold denarium I say slab. However my 2015 denarium's i kept in the packaging. Its a tough one for me, I like the Denarium packaging. If you do slab save all the packaging in best condition you can to give to next buyer.

[slimzak]

If we are talking about unfunded I guess it depends on what the coin would grade.. if its like MS65 then probably more valuable to have it sealed in its original packaging. I think it's hard to predict what would be more valuable in 10 years time. At least when it's in the original packaging you always have the option to get it graded but not vice versa.

[Hookzup1]

100% for sure in a slab if funded as getting it graded becomes more and more unrealistic as they become more valuable. If I happen to get that btcc 5 coin set it's going straight to icg before I get it. I do not care so much about the grades as I do about knowing the coin is perfectly protected for very long term.

[Kazkaz27]

Thank you guys (Hookzup1, slimzak & Cryptogreatdane). You gave me some food for thought.

I have been dwelling on this & have been hesitant to get my coins graded.

Maybe I should do a poll to determine it. If the majority thinks slab is better I will go with that.

Do you know if PCGS would grade Denarium? I recently read something about them grading physical bitcoin collectables. Not sure if it's true or if they would be recommended for such coins.

What grading company would you guys recommend?

I have never got any coin graded. I don't know how it works.

Do I have to take coins out of original packaging to send them in or will the grading company be able to dismantle original packaging in order to grade?

I would prefer that the grading company dismantle the packaging because I would think that would be the safest way to get the highest grade & be sent through the mail without being damaged. I am also worried about the hologram on the back rubbing or getting scratched.

[Eclipse33]

Thank you guys (Hookzup1, slimzak & Cryptogreatdane). You gave me some food for thought.

I have been dwelling on this & have been hesitant to get my coins graded.

Maybe I should do a poll to determine it. If the majority thinks slab is better I will go with that.

Do you know if PCGS would grade Denarium? I recently read something about them grading physical bitcoin collectables. Not sure if it's true or if they would be recommended for such coins.

What grading company would you guys recommend?

I have never got any coin graded. I don't know how it works.

Do I have to take coins out of original packaging to send them in or will the grading company be able to dismantle original packaging in order to grade?

I would prefer that the grading company dismantle the packaging because I would think that would be the safest way to get the highest grade & be sent through the mail without being damaged. I am also worried about the hologram on the back rubbing or getting scratched.

PCGS is getting into grading physical bitcoins and collectables. I would recommend PCGS for your gold denarium. What slab the coin is in makes a difference to collectors.

[Steeley]

Currently PCGS has only graded Lealana and Casascius. I would call or email them to see if they are opening up their grading to more physical bitcoins.

PCGS also has a very strict policy on how they need to receive the coins and they would not grade it if it came in the original packaging.

[OgNasty]

Is a coin more valuable graded or in its original packaging? Pros and Cons? What do you personally prefer?

I personally prefer the original packaging as that is additional material that came with the item so why not… A lot of people think grading is more than it is and believe that means the coin has been verified as authentic or confirmed to hold funds/not been tampered with, etc. so they place a higher value on it than it deserves. Personally, I think the less hands touching it the better, and I think an item owned by 1 person and kept in it’s original packaging is far better than a coin that’s been handled by who knows with missing packaging. A lot can happen to coins in the grading process. I don’t think the reward is ever worth the risks.

[2stout]

Excellent question!  It appears the best answer will be situationally based.  IMHO, in terms of simplicity- any intricate and/or sealed packaging most likely should be left as is and just about everything else graded and slabbed for protection and numismatic purposes.       

[Steeley]

What people prefer is a different question than what gives the coin more value. Maybe you are asking both questions. The physical bitcoin hobby is still small so ungraded often sell as much as graded right now. However, I am almost certain that will change as this hobby grows 10x / 100x. Numismatics and sportscards are two collectible parallels to compare the future of physical bitcoins to. The difference between a MS 66 and MS69 USA coin is often in thousands of dollars. I think this will eventually really matter for valuable physical bitcoins (How many are graded, how many exist at each grade, who graded it).

If you were asking this question about an expensive basketball card, Michael Jordan rookie for example, no-one would say a non-graded card is better. It is scary sending a valuable card in the mail to a grading company. People may say they would rather own it or sell it ungraded than risk the worry of mailing it. However, it would gain more value if it was graded and it received a high mark.

I suppose if you know a coin is in bad condition, it probably is best ungraded.

Steeley