The Crack-Out Game: Should You Resubmit Your Diamond-Designed Coins for a Higher Grade?

Sometimes the plastic holder is holding the coin back. Let’s talk about the risks and rewards of trying to upgrade this piece across grading services.

I’ve spent years as a professional crack-out artist, examining coins that deserve better than the grade stamped on their holders. A recent forum thread started with a fun premise—coins with diamonds depicted on them—but it quickly revealed something deeper. The Fly-In Club Indian Cent grading guide uses the number of visible diamonds on the ribbon as a measure of wear in the EF to AU range. That’s crossover grading in action, and it’s exactly where I make my living.

Understanding the Diamond Standard: What Forum Members Discovered

The original discussion highlighted several key points that every collector should understand:

• Visible diamonds on the ribbon serve as a wear indicator for Indian Head cents in the EF-AU range
• Strike pressure and die wear also affect how many diamonds remain visible
• The Red Cameo Proof examples shown demonstrate how design elements translate across different issues
• Even the shapes in the “C” in “ONE CENT” raise questions about what counts as a true diamond versus a geometric shape

These observations matter because they represent exactly the kind of detail that determines whether a coin is correctly graded—or whether it’s a candidate for crossover.

NGC to PCGS Crossovers: My Professional Approach

In my experience with crossover attempts, the NGC-to-PCGS path is the most common route collectors consider. Here’s why:

1. Market liquidity: PCGS often commands premium prices for certain series, particularly early copper and proof issues
2. Population reports: Some collectors need specific PCGS-graded coins to complete registry sets
3. Perceived strictness: Many dealers believe PCGS grades more conservatively on certain design types

But I always warn clients: crossover is not a guaranteed upgrade. The coin must genuinely deserve the higher grade.

When Crossover Makes Sense

I recommend considering crossover when:

• The coin shows strong luster that may have been missed in the original holder
• Strike characteristics are above average for the assigned grade
• The color designation (like the Red Cameo Proof mentioned in the thread) might be more accurately assessed by the other service
• You have comparable sales data showing the same coin performing better in the target holder

Identifying Undergraded Coins: The Diamond Test

Returning to our forum example—the Indian Head cent’s diamond count is a perfect case study. When I examine a potential crossover candidate, I look for:

1. Design detail retention: How many of the original design elements (diamonds, letters, features) remain sharp?
2. Surface preservation: Are there hidden marks or hairlines that the original grader may have weighted too heavily?
3. Eye appeal: Does the coin have that “look” that suggests it’s undergraded?

“The Fly-In Club Indian Cent grading guide uses the number of visible diamonds on the ribbon as a measure of wear in the EF to AU range, although strike pressure and die wear also affect this.”

This single observation from the forum thread encapsulates the entire philosophy of crossover grading. The diamond count is a quantifiable metric that can be compared across services.

The Crack-Out Risks: What Can Go Wrong

Let me be direct about the dangers:

Physical Damage

Every time you crack a coin out of its holder, you risk:

• Edge nicks from the removal process
• Fingerprints if not handled properly
• Slide marks if the coin shifts during extraction
• Environmental exposure during the transition period

Financial Risk

The costs add up quickly:

1. Crack-out fee (if you’re not doing it yourself)
2. Resubmission fee to the new service
3. Shipping insurance both ways
4. Time cost (weeks to months for turnaround)
5. Downgrade risk (the coin could come back lower)

Regrading Strategy: My Step-by-Step Process

When a client brings me a potential crossover candidate, here’s my evaluation process:

Step 1: Pre-Screening

I examine the coin in its current holder using:

• Strong lighting at multiple angles
• 10x magnification for surface evaluation
• Comparison to known examples at the target grade
• Review of the coin’s pedigree and previous sales history

Step 2: Market Analysis

I research:

• PCGS Price Guide values at current and potential grades
• Recent auction results for comparable coins
• Population report analysis (how many exist at each grade?)
• Registry competition (is there demand for this specific coin?)

Step 3: The Decision Matrix

I only recommend crossover when:

Specific Considerations for Indian Head Cents

The forum’s focus on Indian Head cents with visible diamonds highlights several series-specific factors:

Strike Characteristics

Indian Head cents are known for:

• Weakly struck diamonds even on mint-state examples
• Die wear that affects design detail across the series
• Color designations (Red, Red Brown, Brown) that significantly impact value

Proof vs. Business Strike

The Red Cameo Proof example mentioned in the thread represents a completely different market:

1. Proof Indian Head cents are evaluated differently than business strikes
2. Camero designation requires specific contrast between fields and devices
3. Surface preservation is more critical on proofs

When to Walk Away

After twenty years in this business, I’ve learned that patience is the best strategy. I advise against crossover when:

• The coin is already accurately graded (even if you disagree)
• The cost of submission exceeds potential upside
• The coin has questionable authenticity that might be flagged
• You’re emotionally attached to a specific outcome

Conclusion: The Diamond in the Rough

The forum thread about coins with diamonds depicted on them started as a lighthearted discussion but revealed serious grading principles. The Fly-In Club Indian Cent grading guide’s use of diamond count as a wear indicator is exactly the kind of objective metric that makes crossover decisions possible.

As a professional crack-out artist, my final advice is this: respect the plastic. The holder represents expert opinion, market consensus, and established value. Only crack out when you have clear evidence of undergrading, a solid financial case, and the stomach for risk.

The diamonds on that Indian Head cent ribbon? They’re not just design elements—they’re grading benchmarks. Learn to read them, and you’ll know exactly when it’s time to make your move.

Happy collecting, and may your crossovers always upgrade.

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