[INFO] PCGS now grading AlpenCoin Bars... graded bar returned!!

Woke up this morning and went to check on all the PCGS orders....

Got a nice surprise when the order for an AlpenCoin bar to be graded came back slabbed.
Not in hand yet, but they will ship soon and I will show off the pictures of the bar in the slab,
But for now this is what was posted by PCGS to the order page:

woah! Good news for alpencoin bars hodlers, It took how many days to grade them?

Damn, I wonder what the slab will look like. At some point I should ship some of my stuff to get graded.

I have slabbed a few different bars with PCGS. Results are great, but expect a lengthy turnaround and price to grade/slab is spendy. I guess it's a lot of plastic for a slab on their end Grin

Great news!! Cool

Never had a bar graded before

The gold bars are even more gorgeous in person. Frank did a really great job

Thanks for sharing MJ and congrats Frank!

Grading in the "numismatic" field is not my strong point (I prefer the philatelic-themed one... sorry for the silly question) I wonder how it is possible to know which criteria they grade or not a crypto collectible?
must they have specific references (proof/items on their property, like something to compare)? Are "minimum" runs needed? what is the criteria they adopt for this?

Congratulations to all at AlpenCoin!! Thank you MJ

Quote from: bitbollo on October 19, 2023, 01:01:29 AM

I don't believe they would take qty into grading consideration but that's just my opinion.

I did find this, which is interesting - PCGS graders don't even wear gloves:

https://www.pcgs.com/faq#:~:text=pcgs%20graders%20and%20sealers%20are%20experts%20in%20the%20proper%20care%20and%20handling%20of%20coins.%20while%20gloves%20offer%20additional%20protection%2C%20they%20reduce%20the%20tactile%20sensations%20necessary%20to%20properly%20manipulate%20coins%20during%20the%20grading%20process%20and%20could%20increase%20the%20chance%20of%20dropping%20a%20coin.

Full page - https://www.pcgs.com/faq#

Damn this is awesome! I want to send my silver alpen bar in for grading now Cheesy

Wow... This is a great news.

Thanks MJ.

I still have a few 500,000 satoshi silver plated bar. Wink

I have had a few people ask, so I figured I would post and help others in their decision if they are going ahead to grade their AlpenCoin gold or silver bars.

Currently it is approximately $100 to grade each bar and takes about 3 months. This may be more or less depending on if other items are being sent in to negate the shipping cost to and from.

Also remember, PCGS charges a handling fee and also a standard return shipping fee based on the amount and value of items being returned

Add another $20 for an "oversized slab"

PCGS also charges a yearly "membership" fee that does give vouchers for "regular" grading. I think currently that equates to about $40 for their standard grading fee (without being an oversized coin.... more than a usual 1oz/43mm coin)

I try to take this fee into account over the year that the membership spans to charge a fair fee, as I do not grade any coins with PCGS.

Currently the "Silver" level is $69 per year with no grading vouchers
The "Gold" level give 4 vouchers is and $149 per year
and The "Platinum" level is $249 wiht 8 vouchers

So for what it's worth, if you grade couple coins per year with PCGS, the membership level pays for itself.

I am not trying to detract from me helping out and submitting coins for other collectors, but wanted to be transparent as to the fees and information about PCGS

Below are infographics with the service level fees and then the yearly membership fees:

MJ thanks for posting this, appreciate it. Wink

Fedex just dropped of the graded bar!! so exciting Cool

I left on the protective plastic wrap for the owner so they could have the joy of removing it once in hand

For an update on timing/cost:

Bar was sent in on September 5, 2023. Received back October 24, 2023
Total cost with shipping there and back was $107.
This timing and cost was under PCGS "Regular" service tier of grading
Breakdown is:
$40 grading fee
$20 oversized holder
$10 handling fee (from PCGS)
$27 return shipping (from PCGS)
$10 shipping to PCGS (from me)

For this order, there was no fee taken by me as it was a test to see if PCGS would grade it.. and indeed they did.

Also, I am happy to consign orders to PCGS for collectors and can have it shipped back directly to you.. negating the cost/time of a second shipping from me to you.

Noted, that PCGS uses Fedex to return graded items, so PO Boxes would not be valid unless you have a street address available for them.

Here is the graded bar in all it's glory!! Cheesy

the holder doesn't quite fit it right and it isnt centered. I really dislike when you pay for grading/slabbing and they are very critical of the item but then cant place it in a slab centered or facing the right way or have it rotated wrong. The item is still protected but still looks sloppy. my opinion at least.

They do make a different type of holder I have seen on some Cas bars. Same plastic slab, but inner ring is more like a circle vs. a rectangle. I have to admit I like that other style holder better.

Did they assign a grade? I don’t see it on the slab