The Crack-Out Game: Should You Resubmit Your 1935D/1934 Silver Classic Commems for a PCGS Crossover Grade?

Sometimes the Plastic Holder is Holding the Coin Back

Let’s talk about the risks and rewards of trying to upgrade your piece across grading services. As a professional crack-out artist who has spent decades peering through the microscope at the nuances of early American silver, I see firsthand how the plastic holder—whether it’s an NGC slab or a PCGS slab—can inadvertently hold a coin back from its true potential, keeping it stuck at a grade below its mint condition. The world of numismatics is littered with collectors who purchased NGC-certified pieces, only to find that their “MS67” was actually an MS68 waiting to happen. Conversely, some collectors hold onto PCGS coins, thinking they are already perfect, only to discover that an NGC upgrade could yield a significantly higher grade.

Today, we’re zeroing in on a highly specific subset of this phenomenon: the Cross-Over Grading angle, specifically looking at the transition between NGC and PCGS ratings for classic Commems-Three NEWPs. These coins represent a unique intersection of American history, numismatic prestige, and grading complexity. The 1935D/1934 Boone is particularly notorious for its scarcity—a minuscule mintage of only 2,003 pieces—making the pursuit of a higher grade not just a hobby pastime, but a serious economic consideration.

The allure of a crossover grade is undeniable: who wouldn’t want to take a coin that sits at MS67 and make it MS68? But the path from NGC to PCGS is paved with pitfalls, and the most dangerous pitfall is physical damage.

The Allure of the NGC to PCGS Crossover

In my experience grading, the biggest driver of cross-service discrepancies comes down to differing philosophies regarding surface preservation and strike quality. NGC has historically been more conservative when it comes to assessing luster and strike intensity, often penalizing coins for minor flaws that PCGS might overlook, or vice versa. When a collector buys a 1935D/1934 Boone in an NGC MS67 slab, they are paying a premium for a specific service’s interpretation of the grade. But if the coin actually possesses the sharpest strikes, the cleanest surfaces, and the brightest natural luster, the NGC grade may be artificially capped.

The crossover game involves taking that NGC slab, cracking it out, and submitting it to PCGS for a re-evaluation. The potential reward is a substantial increase in numismatic value—often doubling or tripling the coin’s worth depending on the grade differential. For a low mintage coin like the 1935D/1934 Boone, where supply is tight and demand is fierce, a jump from MS67 to MS68 can mean the difference between a coin that merely appreciates and a coin that becomes a true investment.

Why Do Grades Differ Between Services?

• Strike Assessment: PCGS often applies a more generous baseline for strike quality, particularly on coins with noticeable die cracks or softer areas of the obverse and reverse. NGC, conversely, may deduct points for perceived strike weakness.
• Surface Preservation: Both services evaluate scuffs, haing marks, and abrasions differently. A slight haing on the rim might be ignored by one and penalized by the other.
• Luster: This is a massive point of contention. PCGS is generally more forgiving of natural toning, while NGC requires a higher degree of original luster to achieve certain grades.

The Anatomy of a Cross-Over Attempt

To successfully execute a cross-over, you must act like a professional crack-out artist. This means knowing exactly what you’re looking at under the louxes before you break the seal. If you simply crack out a coin without understanding its current state, you risk ruining a potentially high-grade coin for a lower grade.

1. Visual Inspection: Before breaking the slab, examine the coin under bright light. Look for any signs of heavy wear, prominent die cracks, or rough planchet edges that might indicate the coin was struck on an imperfect planchet.
2. Luster Check: Assess the original mint luster. If the coin is heavily toned, the decision to crack out is much riskier, as the toning
   

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