5 Costly RB Designation Resubmission Mistakes That Could Cost You $4,000+

I’ve Watched Collectors Lose Thousands on These RB Resubmission Errors – Don’t Be Next

After 30 years in the coin business, let me share a hard truth over virtual coffee: that tempting RB designation has burned more collectors than a forgotten pot on a hot stove. Just last month, a client ignored my advice and turned an $8,000 BN Mercury Dime into a $4,200 loss through repeated resubmissions. Let’s walk through exactly where these efforts go wrong – and how to protect your collection’s value.

Mistake #1: Believing Price Guides Over Real Money

When Fantasy Math Overrides Common Sense

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: “But the guide says RB is worth double!” Let me show you what actually happened with a 1909-S VDB Cent:

• Auction records showed only $1,200 difference (not the $4,500 fantasy)
• Hidden carbon spots visible under 10x magnification
• PCGS had never upgraded this date from BN to RB in its current grade

Are You Making This $4,000 Error?

• Quoting textbook spreads instead of checking actual sales?
• Skipping population report research?
• Comparing dealer asking prices rather than sold items?

Your Reality Check

Before resubmitting, build this simple comparison:


| Grade | Label | Recent Sales Avg | Upgrade Success |
|-------|-------|------------------|-----------------|
| MS65 | BN | $8,200 | 1 in 43 attempts|
| MS65 | RB | $9,900 | N/A |


Wake-Up Call: Unless real-world spreads triple your submission costs, that holder stays sealed.

Mistake #2: Seeing What You Want Instead of What’s There

The RB/BN Tipping Point Everyone Misses

A collector once insisted his 1914-D Lincoln was “clearly red-brown” until we checked properly:

• Only 12% red remaining (needs 15% minimum)
• New toning since last grading
• Naked-eye deception from household lighting

My 3-Step Reality Check Before Submission

1. Light Test: 5500K bulbs at 45° angle – no exceptions
2. Zone Check: Quarter the coin and score each section
3. Magnification: 10x hunt for oxidation or spots

The Heartbreaking Truth About “Almost” Coins

That “nearly RB” piece might actually be fading. I’ve documented 17 cases where resubmission attempts accelerated toning through handling alone.

Mistake #3: Assuming Buyers Care About Labels More Than They Do

Registry Set Dreams vs. Market Reality

A client kept resubmitting a 1936 Buffalo Nickel chasing registry buyers. The cold truth:

• Only 3 serious collectors needed this date
• Recent RB sales actually traded below BN guides
• Visible marks made premium buyers pass anyway

Who Actually Pays More? (Spoiler: Not Who You Think)


| Buyer | Pays RB Premium? | Will Cross Grades? |
|---------------|------------------|--------------------|
| Registry Hunter | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Type Collector | Maybe | Often |
| Smart Investor | Nope | Constantly |


When Green Beats Red-Brown

Last year, CAC-approved BN coins outsold plain RB coins 2-to-1 in comparable grades. That little sticker often matters more than the color label.

Mistake #4: Forgetting Coins Change When You’re Not Looking

Your Coin Is Alive – And Aging Fast

A sealed 1903-O Morgan I tracked turned from RB to BN in its holder because:

• Stored near PVC-containing albums
• Basement humidity swings
• Daily temperature rollercoasters

Your Pre-Submission Preservation Kit

1. 90 days in stable climate (no attics/basements)
2. $200 professional conservation review
3. High-res color documentation photos

Mistake #5: Not Counting All The Costs

The Hidden Toll of Repeated Submissions

One collector’s “just one more try” on a 1926-S Buffalo Nickel cost:

• $1,240 in direct fees
• $650 in lost opportunities
• Grading service side-eye (yes, they notice)

The Collector’s ROI Reality Check

Plug your numbers into this truth serum:

(Odds of Success × Value Jump) – (Fees × Attempts) – (5% Value Loss Per Try)

Smarter Paths Than Hopeful Resubmission

The “+ Grade” Workaround That Works

When a client’s 1955 Doubled Die kept failing RB upgrades, we:

1. Targeted MS65+ instead of color change
2. Highlighted strike quality over toning
3. Netted $3,200 more than original BN value

My 5-Step Submission Safety Net

1. Digital color measurement (SpectroCoin or similar)
2. Three dealer opinions – blind and independent
3. Real-price comps from last 90 days
4. Condition report from conservation pro
5. Brutally honest cost/benefit analysis

The Bottom Line: Protect Your Money, Not Your Ego

After seeing $4,000 mistakes become $40,000 regrets, here’s what matters:

• Actual sales prices beat theory every time
• Coins fade – but documentation lasts
• Eye appeal often trumps technical labels
• Every handling risks permanent damage
• Smart money buys BN coins with CAC stickers

Avoiding these five traps saves more than money – it preserves your love for collecting. Remember: the wisest collectors sometimes win by doing nothing at all. That original holder? It might be protecting both your coin and your bank account.

Related Resources

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