ANACS Services FAQ

Yes. ANACS is the first major grading service to grade cleaned, corroded, damaged, repaired, and other “problem coins”. Label’s display a coin’s “detail grade” and the coin’s corresponding problem(s). “Details” Graded coins are not eligible for the ANACS Guarantee.

ANACS grades the following tokens:

• U.S. Hard Times Tokens (including Feuchtwanger pieces) in the Low/Rulau reference.
• U.S. Civil War, Patriotic, and Storecard Tokens in the Fuld references.
• So-Called Dollars (max. diameter 40.6 mm) in the Hibler-Kappen reference.

No Grading service attributes as many varieties as ANACS. You can either submit your coins with the attributions already included or you can ask ANACS to research the attribution for you. The cost for ANACS to do either is listed on the submission form. This fee is in addition to the grading fee. It is recommended to submit your coins requesting variety, attribution, or error designations on a separate submission form from your other coins. This service can add an additional 15 business days.

Once a coin has been removed from an ANACS holder there is no guarantee that it will be given the same grade it once had. Furthermore, once a coin has been removed from the ANACS holder, the ANACS Gurarantee of grade and authenticity no longer applies.

The following designation will be listed on the ANACS label whenever appropriate for coins graded MS or PF-60 and above, except for AU and better coins as noted:

Coins in which a reverse only superlative may describe the coin are not deemed appropriate by ANACS to list on the holder. For Example, ANACS does not designate a Proof Franklin Half Dollar with a reverse cameo contrast as REV CAMEO on the slab label.

PVC residue is a surface contaminant that may be caused by storing a coin in a soft, pliable vinyl flip. The amount of time a coin needs to reside in a vinyl flip before the PVC film develops will vary significantly, depending on temperature, humidity, the age of the flip, and the type of coin. Under optimal conditions, PVC residue can begin to form in as little as two weeks. At ANACS, we only use Mylar flips. Mylar flips are free of all PVC.

The composition of a coin is a strong factor with the formation of PVC residue.

A gold or platinum coin will be the most resistant, a silver coin is next, and a copper or copper-nickel coin will be the most susceptible. Copper and copper-nickel coins are also highly susceptible to corrosion and/or spotting from excessive moisture and high emperatures. Due to this, collectors need to be extra careful with their choices of storage materials for these coins.

During the manufacturing process for soft vinyl flips, an agent is added to increase pliability. The main reason for this is to allow the flips to be reused without breaking or tearing. This softening agent will migrate out of the plastic over time, and becomes the surface film that is called “PVC Residue.” As this film continues to degrade, it eventually turns into a mild acid, and begins to attack the surface of the coin. Until the film is removed from the coin, it is usually not possible to tell if the coin has been damaged. Additionally, this chemical reaction can continue even if the coin is sealed in an inert plastic holder. This is why ANACS does not encapsulate coins with active PVC contamination.

Recognizing PVC residue is not always easy. When the residue begins to form, it often appears as light milky spots on the coin. PVC residue also appears as streaks or a light haze, and ranges from nearly white to dark green or gray. If the coin has enough ontamination, and your sense of smell is good, you will detect an odor that imitates the smell of a new plastic shower curtain.

• What is it? ANACS Conservation Service is an add-on option to our coin-grading services, in which you give us permission to perform conservation on coins where we deem it necessary or desirable.
• What kinds of conservation do you do? ANACS will remove PVC, debris, glue, stains, hazing, and other easily removed or distracting flaws from submitted coins.
• Whatever happened to the rule that you should never clean coins? Over the years, many collectable coins have suffered from attempts at cleaning that alter their surfaces and decrease their numismatic value. As a result, most coin experts advise collectors to never clean their coins. ANACS Conservation Service employs techniques that are designed to preserve the coins surface, while removing substances that deter from a coins appearance and value.
• How is the decision to conserve a coin made? The decision to conserve a coin is always made by a professional numismatist, with an eye toward achieving the most desirable numismatic qualities of a coin. For example, a coin with eye pleasing toning will be kept in that condition, while a coin that has unattractive hazing will typically be treated.
• What if it is not possible to conserve a coin? ANACS Conservation Service is not a restoration service, and, as such, there will be coins that are not covered by this service. Environmental damage, such as active corrosion, typically cannot be conserved. Also, spotting on proof coins is unlikely to be reversed, especially the spotting that occurs on proof silver eagles.
• What about copper? Copper coins are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Since copper is a very active metal, there are many copper coins that we cannot treat. Red or red-brown copper will always look worse after conservation attempts, so we will not treat those. Brown copper can sometimes see improvement.
• Will my conserved coin be graded “Cleaned”? Only if your coin was cleaned prior to its submission. It is not uncommon for the removal of PVC to uncover prior cleaning of coins. However, the services that we perform will not cause this condition, only potentially expose it.
• How do I know how much to pay if I don’t know which coins will be conserved? ANACS has set up a pricing structure that makes it affordable for you to select the conservation option. The conservation service is available with your submission for each 10 coins you submit for one low price. Please contact customer service if you have any questions on pricing.

• What is it?
  ANACS Imaging is an add-on service in which we will take high quality photographs of your graded coins that you can access online and copy to your own library. Our customers have long requested this service, and we are pleased to offer it at a very affordable rate.
• What does the image look like?
  The image includes both the obverse and reverse of the holdered coin, with the grading, variety and serial number information clearly visible.
• How do I see my images?
  When your order is complete, you can view your images by entering the coin serial numbers into our Imaging page at www.anacs.com.
• Are they available for others to see?
  Yes, although other viewers would need to be given the appropriate serial numbers to view your coins.