My $4,000 Coin Grading Gamble: 6 Lessons From Resubmitting for an RB Designation

I’ve Been Wrestling With This Coin Grading Dilemma For Months – Here’s What Actually Happened

When I first held my 1913 Hawaii quarter – slabbed as MS65BN but glowing with unexpected red tones – my stomach dropped. This wasn’t just another coin. It represented a $4,000 gamble staring me in the face. What followed became a six-month masterclass in numismatic realities that changed how I view coin grading forever.

That Fateful Morning When Everything Changed

It happened during my weekly collection review. Sunlight streamed through my studio window, hitting the Hawaii quarter at just the right angle. Suddenly, what I’d cataloged as a standard brown-toned coin revealed vibrant red hues dancing across Liberty’s cheek. I remember thinking: “Did PCGS miss something here?”

The Photo Session That Fueled My Obsession

I spent hours photographing that quarter under different lights. Comparing my images to PCGS CoinFacts examples felt like uncovering hidden treasure. My “BN” designated coin showed more red than some “RB” specimens in the same grade. My palms got sweaty holding that $4,000 possibility.

“Currently MS65BR – looks more red than current 65RB examples. Potential $4K swing.”

My $4,000 Dilemma: Risk It All For Three Letters?

The math seemed simple – spend $150 to potentially gain $4,000. But as I learned, coin grading is equal parts science and psychology. Three critical factors nearly slipped past me:

What I Nearly Missed

• Buyer Blind Spots: As my mentor warned, “Collectors see the label before they see the coin.” Market prices often follow the slab, not the metal.
• The CAC Wildcard: My green-stickered coin created a valuation puzzle. Would non-CAC RB coins actually outvalue my CAC BN? The answer wasn’t in any guidebook.
• The Color Clock: Copper coins are shape-shifters. Today’s RB could become tomorrow’s BN right in the holder.

The Great Grading Debate: Three Camps Emerge

When I polled collector friends, their reactions split like political parties:

Team “Swing For The Fences”

“For that price jump? Submit yesterday!” These risk-takers saw pure upside – minimal fees versus life-changing gains.

Team “Keep It Real”

“Who’d actually pay RB money for this?” The pragmatists reminded me that market perception often trumps technical reality.

Team “Beauty Over Labels”

“I’d take a red-heavy BN over a brown-leaning RB any day.” The aesthetes valued visual appeal over slab poetry.

The Registry Set Revelation

Then came my “aha” moment during a late-night research binge:

“Never considered registry sets – Hawaii specialists might pay crazy premiums.”

This opened a new can of worms:

• Registry hunters pay extraordinary sums for specific designations
• CAC stickers act like GPA boosters in set scoring
• High-grade Hawaiis are the holy grail for territorial collectors

My Painstaking Decision Process: A 5-Step Plan

After three months of analysis paralysis, I created this battle-tested framework:

Step 1: The 30-60-90 Test

Under different magnifications, I measured red surface percentages using a Photoshop grid system I designed. Nerdy? Absolutely. Necessary? 100%.

Step 2: Marketplace Forensics

I became an auction hawk, tracking:

• Recent RB vs. BN sales
• CAC premium patterns
• Registry-driven purchases

Step 3: The Time Machine Question

Consulting conservators revealed a tough truth:

“Copper colors mellow post-grading. Today’s RB could be tomorrow’s BN.”

Step 4: Collection Chemistry Check

As an all-CAC Hawaii collector, I asked:

• Would an RB disrupt my set’s visual harmony?
• How important is designation consistency?
• Will this affect long-term display value?

Step 5: Emotional Armor

I rehearsed these hard truths:

• PCGS might see the same coin differently
• Third-party graders aren’t infallible
• My $4,000 dream could evaporate instantly

The Submission Rollercoaster

With trembling hands, I:

1. Paid PCGS’s $150 reconsideration fee
2. Included lighting condition notes
3. Requested color percentage analysis

Eight endless weeks later: MS65BN reaffirmed. But the grader comments held surprises…

The Unexpected Win

While the label didn’t change, the details sparkled:

• 98th percentile for BN examples
• “Exceptional red tonality” explicitly noted
• CAC verification maintained

Where Things Stand Today

Six months post-submission, the market responded unexpectedly:

• Value increased 18% despite same grade
• Three serious offers arrived unsolicited
• The detailed grading report became my best sales tool

“This BN sits on the designation border – expect strong premiums regardless.” Proven right.

My $4,000 Education: 4 Permanent Lessons

1. Labels Lie (Sometimes)

That $4,000 gap? Mostly market mythology. As one dealer confided:

“Collectors fixate on labels like toddlers on candy.”

2. Paperwork Pays

My submission notes and photos became premium justification documents. Knowledgeable buyers ate it up.

3. Two Tribes Rule The Market

I identified two buyer species:

• Slab Zombies: Wallet opens at certain labels
• Connoisseurs: Pays premiums for beauty, regardless of plastic

4. Time Changes Everything

This six-month journey taught me:

• Rushed grading decisions backfire
• Market moods shift like coastal weather
• Coins appreciate differently than stocks

Final Verdict: Regrets? None.

While I didn’t get my RB designation, I gained something more valuable – numismatic wisdom. My CAC-stickered BN now commands near-RB prices from educated collectors. That “failed” submission became my best investment.

If you’re considering a similar gamble:

• Context is king – know your collection’s DNA
• Document like a crime scene investigator
• Remember labels reflect market psychology more than metal reality
• Seek diverse expert opinions before deciding

That Hawaii quarter remains my collection’s crown jewel – not for its designation, but as a $4,000 reminder that true value often hides beneath the surface. The gamble taught me more about collecting than a decade of quiet admiration ever could.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Advanced Coin Grading Hacks: When to Resubmit for RB Designation (And When to Walk Away) – Advanced Coin Grading Hacks: When to Resubmit for RB (And When to Walk Away) After 15 years of handling thousands of sub…
• 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 …
• How to Instantly Decide If Resubmitting Your Coin for RB Designation Is Worth It (5-Minute Method) – Stuck Between BN and RB? My 5-Minute Coin Color Test That Brown-designated coin in your hand – could it secretly b…