Debunking ‘Your Coins Could Be Worth Millions!’ Hype: A Collector’s Reality Check
June 7, 2025My Journey Through the Phases of Coin Collecting Over Time: What to Do?
June 7, 2025
As a coin collector who’s shipped countless packages to grading services and buyers, I hit a real shipping snag after moving to Atlanta. The problems I ran into with USPS here forced me to look into other options, and I’ve picked up some tips worth sharing.
My Move Away from USPS
Back in Pennsylvania, I always used USPS registered mail for coins. It was slow, often taking more than 10 days, but it got the job done. I remember one package that got stuck near Irvine for days; only after I complained did it finally move. But here in metro-Atlanta, the new regional facility is like a black hole. Mail vanishes, theft seems to be an issue, and even lawmakers are looking into it. I just don’t trust USPS here anymore, especially for my valuable coins.
Checking Out UPS and FedEx
That led me to explore UPS and FedEx. Both cost more than USPS, but their online calculators make it easy to figure out costs depending on how fast you want it and how much insurance you need. If you’re shipping a lot, the extra cost might be worth the peace of mind. But for just one or two coins, I’d probably wait for a coin show to skip the fees. Here’s the kicker: their standard insurance usually doesn’t cover coins well, or tops out at something low like $1,000. That’s why you’ll need private insurance. And when you’re sending coins to NGC or PCGS, always double-check their FedEx or UPS addresses to prevent headaches.
How Private Insurance Changed My Shipping
Switching to private insurance for every shipment was a total game-saver. It lets me choose any carrier while putting a low declared value on the label to avoid tempting thieves—a trick I now rely on. What’s more, it gives me better coverage than the carriers’ own policies, which often fall short for coins. Take USPS registered mail: it’s still the most secure method I’ve tried, with special handling and tracking, but it’s painfully slow. And paying extra for priority doesn’t actually make it any faster.
Shipping Tricks That Work for Me
Through trial and error, I’ve settled on these steps to lower my risks:
- Triple-box your coins, putting your return address on every layer. Use heavy-duty tape to seal everything up tight.
- Tuck some aluminum foil inside the innermost box. It blocks X-rays and makes quick theft harder.
- With USPS registered mail, just accept the crawl. Paying for express won’t speed it up.
- Never skip private insurance with UPS or FedEx—it’s the only way to get full coverage beyond their low limits.
What I’d Suggest to Other Collectors
After all this, I’ve found that USPS registered mail is still the safest bet in low-risk areas, even with the wait. But in problem spots like Atlanta, I’d go with UPS or FedEx plus private insurance. No matter how you ship, don’t cut corners on packaging or insurance. Remember, it’s about protecting our numismatic treasures—so stay sharp and ship safely!
