CAC Forums

Questions about CAC die marriage attribution

Barberian — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:07:08 +0000

I collect Seated Liberty half dollar die marriages, particularly those with a Sheldon Rarity rating of R5 or higher (fewer than 75 examples known). For a few dates with a small number of DMs including several scarce DMs, I try to collect the entire set of known DMs. Examples would be 1874-CC with three known DMs, two of which are scarce (R5 and R6), or 1874-S with five DMs, three of which are R5 or higher. My goal is to have all DMs for a date graded and labeled with the proper die marriage designation. Edited to add - I'm venting some disappointment with another TPGS here as well as asking about CAC's attribution capability. I’m looking for a TP grader that has knowledgeable, experienced staff that can competently identify Redbook varieties and other DMs, particularly rare DMs. For starters, can CAC attributors properly identify all varieties listed in the Redbook? Some TPGs cannot do that. They will ignore what’s written on submission sheets and just make it all up without consulting the customer? More importantly, do CACG attributors have the integrity to admit when they’re wrong and correct it? One TPGS gets defensive and dishonest, thereby screwing the customer, no matter how glaring the mistake? Does CACG maintain an up-to-date library and quality stereoscopes for identifying all published DMs in a series, or just the common or easy ones with which the attributors are familiar? When the staff encounter a DM they've never seen before, do they consult their library or just default to similar DMs they know? Can they admit when they cannot identify a DM with confidence? CAC offers a 50% discount if the customer provides the correct DM, so they take the customer’s determination into consideration when they do the identification. By doing so, CACG provides opportunities for the customer to do their homework and receive a discount, and for themselves by reducing identification time and reaping a reward for correcting a false customer DM identification that the customer should appreciate. The bottom line is can CACG identify known DMs properly, or would it be better to submit coins to variety specialists like VSS and Varslab for their determinations. I invite others to chime in and offer their recommendations for solid attribution services. This is the new plate coin for 1874-S WB-2, which is an R5. Unfortunately, it is NOT a WB-2, it is easily identifiable as WB-5 (an R7 with 6 known), made from "Obverse 1" paired with "Reverse B." The TPG service told me that they don't recognize this DM, even though it was published 11 years ago by Bill Bugert. That is $20 wasted and the holder needs to be replaced.

Next Witter Brick, John Dannreuther edition

pcgscacgold — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:32:39 +0000

Another Witter brick coming and another top collector. One box will have an eight coin 1880 Proof Mint set. Who will the next big collector/dealer to be featured in a Witter Brick sale?

My Collect Award

amwldcoin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:57:19 +0000

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned these. I was surprised I won! It's the only set I registered there and it's missing a few upgrades I think. Unlike my number 2 PCGS set, it’s only missing the 1870-S and a few are higher grade due to having a few NGC coins. Very classy IMHO but I think I would rather have a plaque. Beats a damn plastic pin!

Edit to add, OOPS it's also missing the 1851 as the one I have is a proof.

Laura Legend Interview with Jeff Garrett

lermish — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:06:42 +0000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIvlwuRyk8c Nicely done @Legend , that was a pleasure to watch.

Slidell New Orleans Mint investigation - 1839

RWB — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:53:56 +0000

Those interested in reading through the Slidell Investigation of the New Orleans Mint in 1839 can find the original documents on NNP at: Everything is now on NNP at https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/558094. A few of the documents have been transcribed and others might be added as time permits. The originals are very fragile and required special care to preserve and scan.

Variety Attribution - FS-901 2007-P Washington Dollar Elongated Ray

RivitJoint — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 02:58:55 +0000

Hello, Recently; CAC attributed variety FS-901 to the 2007-P Washington $ Elongated Ray for the first time. Very few examples of this elusive variety exist. The Elongated Ray is clearly visible to the naked eye. The long-term goal: To have this coin recognized, validated and approved for published into the CPG and Redbook. The coin is currently listed in the Graysheet. Ref: Fivaz-Stanton (FS)-C1-2007P-CW-901

Currency Grading

Mightyhunter1 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:32:51 +0000

I don’t collect currency. However, I occasionally come across currency when purchasing a coin collection. I have had a low grade $20 large Montana National for a very long time. I think I want to have it certified and graded. I don’t want to join a club to accomplish this for a single note. Any ideas?

CAC's Calculated Value

RivitJoint — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:17:49 +0000

Where does CAC get it's calculated values from?

Post your Liberty Seated Dollars that are approved by CAC or CACG.

Seatedman — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:39:09 +0000

Purchased this example 31 years ago. My poor images don't show the luster.

Recorded Submissions Timing

Yankee247Texas — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:18:06 +0000

If you use a printed submission form how long on average does it take a delivered package to CAC to beging showing as a submission? It does show as recieved when you search by the tracking number on the CAC site. Just courious as a first time submitter!

Upgrades to CACG+

DisneyFan — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:24:45 +0000

Has anybody had luck converting PCGS/NGC Green stickers to a CACG+?

Additional new numismatic letters

RWB — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:25:43 +0000

By the end of April we will have added over 100,000 new pages of numismatic letters scanned from US Mint archives at NARA, College Park, MD. These are all in Letters Sent to the Mints and Secretary of the Treasury, and were scanned between February 2024 and April 2026. These new pages contain routine inquiries, details of coinage operations, letters from famous and obscure collectors, and rational behind various commemorative coin decisions. The period from about 1910 to 1935 includes many unexplored subjects. These will be found on-line at the Newman Numismatic Portal (https://nnp.wustl.edu/Library/Archives?searchLetter=U) under Record Group 104 Entry 235. NNP is a repository of American numismatic information supported by the Eric P Newman Numismatic Education Society. It is free to access, browse, download, and no membership is required.

Question on CAC Submission Forms

RivitJoint — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:44:16 +0000

Why don't the forms have a submission number?

The Gold Bean Thread

Peacedollar — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 23:28:32 +0000

Would love to see everyone's Gold stickered coins. As you can see i have had the best luck with early NGC holders.

Book Ends to a set. Let’s fill in the middle

amwldcoin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:15:35 +0000

CAC Pricing

Cartwheel2008 — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 18:25:14 +0000

I was wondering if anyone else as a collector of CAC beaned and CACG coins experience dealer prices on their inventory that are significantly higher than the buy prices stated on the online CAC price guide. As I understand, the online price guide is updated daily. I understand that some CAC coins are more eye appealing than others and may command a bigger price than what the guide says, but I’m having a difficult time finding coins that aren’t way over guide price. Any comments are appreciated!

Contemporary counterfeits

NutmegNum — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:18:27 +0000

I picked up this Barber 50c contemporary counterfeit which should have been obvious but a shop owner did not see it as such. There are quite a lot of collectors of these. This one is sterling silver, the right weight, but clearly not genuine. Winston Zach's book "Bad Metal" lists it as: Z2-c. The PCGS discussion: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1120529/barber-50c-counterfeit#latest His site: https://www.badmetalcoin.com/shop?Category=Counterfeit%2520Barber%2520Type

Some new updates to the CAC Grading website...

Inlander — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:41:45 +0000

I really like the added functionality of the My Collection section. Nice to see CACG continuing to improve the site! But please keep the current silver labels for a while :) They look awesome!

Winesteven’s ultra nice stuff!

oreville — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:52:04 +0000

I spent a recent and lovely afternoon with Winesteven and his coin collection.He brought out from his bank to the well lit viewing room. I studied each coin very carefully. What amazed me is that not only is he a self professed type collector but also a collector of nearly every high end graded date within nearly every non-gold coin series. While owning all high end graded coins within each series is not unusual what Winesteven accomplished was quite unusual. Not only were every one of his date sets CAC stickered but much more interesting is the consistent look of each coin within each series. Winesteven does tend to specialize in proof coins but also does has his fair share of amazing superb gem mint state coins as well. I neglected to take photos of his coins as I was more focused on just viewing and evaluating them. He asked me to criticize then as I saw fit and he wanted an honest opinion, not a feel good commentary. There were only two or three coins out of well over hundreds of them that I felt critical of but I realized that I was just trying to somewhat showboat that I was being a tough grader. LOL. Winesteven admitted that someday he will sell his entire collection. It will be a major collection offering and coin collectors will be well advised to hoard their funds in advance of his auction offering. While my collection has been called the right stuff by a coin dealer over 15 years ago, I can safely affirm that Winesteven’s collection is the ultra nice stuff. I know I will try to be a buyer someday of at least a decent bunch of his coins as my finances permit while I am still focused on completing my double eagle sets. .

CAC Submission Form

RivitJoint — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:08:01 +0000

Sorry, I'm losing it. I'm on the CAC website. Where do I go to print out a submission form? Thanks.

Tell us your stories.

Insider3 — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 17:13:57 +0000

One of my favorite things is to hear stories - especially those from dealers and advanced collectors. I realize it takes time to post. This is especially true for the best stories. There is a little of that going on in the $20 Saint thread. The coin you could not afford at the time. Your first coin. Dealer interactions (only good comments and only dead dealers). Think of it as a Memorial to those who have passed. for example, there are members on CAC who have never heard of Harry Forman, exciting hoards, or successful auction picks. I've heard that one time a famous dealer dipped an old Bust dollar and it "blasted." Care to tell the story? Care to tell one of your stories?

Does toning disqualify modern coins from a 70 grade?

crustyoldgold — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:11:06 +0000

I have note seen a "fresh" toned modern coin grade a 70, outside of ones that were graded white and turned in the holder. That said, is toning an automatic disqualifier from a 70? That basis for the question is that there are many fresh mint packaged coins coming out of hiding with the spot prices so high. Being packaged for over 30 years, some exhibit toning. Some attractive and some not. The focus would be on coins that actually have value over spot as a 70 at this time. Think of the 1995 W Silver Eagle proof or possibly 1993 Philly proof set. Thoughts? With CACG new to the modern grading game, maybe they have different thoughts about toning vs. NGC and PCGS?

1861-O $20 Liberty photos from the James Stack Sr collection.

oreville — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:49:07 +0000

I thought a tiny one would be amusing. Could not get it any smaller. Oh, this one is a little bigger and now shows reverse. Any bigger, this web site will not upload the photo.

Is CAC making Seated Dollars uncollectable for many?

amwldcoin — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:28:08 +0000

https://coins.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?term=&dept=1909&auction_name=63325&mode=archive&auction_year=2025&coin_category=3838&coin_category_child=4801 Look at the prices realized in the Old Chelsea sale. Many XF45's selling for MS money? Are some of these coins really worth 5 times Price Guide amounts?

Price of coins.

Ironman — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:41:51 +0000

I have not been purchasing a lot of coins for the last couple years. I was watching about 35 to 40 coins in this last Heritage auction. Everything I was watching went for substantially higher than I thought they would. They were also way higher than current price lists. Granted I only watch nicer stuff I would want in my collection. Is it off base to say that guides are extremely behind the times?

Why do uncirculated $20 Liberties almost never show copper stains whereas Saints do?

oreville — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:24:34 +0000

I di not know the answer to this question.

When does a coin loses the CAC Sticker ... Issue resolved

retirednow — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:19:45 +0000

Maybe someone can help me discuss the criteria for reapplying a GREEN sticker. I acquired an coin in an NGC slab through a recent Heritage Auction that was in a prior Newman Holder with a Green CAC. When the piece was just consigned for auction it was in a different NGC holder (w/o Newman Label) and no CAC sticker, however, still with the same NGC Registration #. I verified that it was still on the CAC cert versification site. I won the piece and ask HA to send back to CAC to have the sticker reapplied ... but to my surprise it was returned without the sticker. Comments would be appropriated

Your recollections of coin authentication, past and present.

RWB — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:46:34 +0000

I was wondering if members could share with me their understanding of how authentication, especially of unusual or controversial items, was done before ANACS, PCGS, NGC, etc.? Also, how is this done by the grading companies in today's market? A PM is preferable if you have lengthy comments or anecdotes. Thanks! Roger Burdette Hmmm....responses seem to be inhibited........ ?