Buy the COIN, NOT the holder!
Terms we've all heard.
So, let me tell you of a big disappointment I've had , but lesson learned, so with a TWIST, SUBMITTER BEWARE!!
Bought a toned coin from auction; graded and authenticated as MS 64PL. VAM previously unknown PL; also a really scarce VAM! New top in pop! Got coin in 2016 thru major auction house for basically Grey Sheet plus juice. Life is GOOD.
Fast forward to 2018; submit coin for conservation consideration (I did not like the toning; basically butt ugly in my humble opinion). Had prior GOOD experience with ugly toned 8tf VAM 3 (sent in as UGLY MS 63 PL), came back as PRISTINE MS 63 PL. Life is GOOD.
Have had a couple of coins turned away at the CONSERVATION door and returned as-is; life is SO-SO.
Got unexpected notification that my MS64PL would be downgraded. Short story, it's coming home in a body bag equivalent; net graded, unc. details with a $$ settlement I agreed to. Coin was never conserved.
Life can be DISAPPOINTING.
Lesson learned: Buy the COIN not the holder! Think twice before you consider conservation (a bird in the hand is worth...); you may not be happy with the end result!!! A coin MAY deteriorate over time in its TPG holder. When this coin was slabbed, conservation was not an option from the particular TPG at that time (is now). AND anytime you send a PL / PROOF coin for conservation, you are probably taking a BIG risk. It's best let sleeping dogs lie!
Life goes on; I no longer have a TOP in pop coin.
And the hunt continues. Life is GOOD!
Time to move FORWARD...
