Jeff Garrett: Collecting Details-Graded Coins
For the first 20 or so years that
NGC graded coins, any pieces submitted that were deemed unacceptable for certification were returned in a plastic sleeve. These became affectionately known as “body bags”. As the term indicates, receiving these was quite an unwelcome result after having paid a submission fee.
Many submitters simply did not understand what may cause a coin to be ineligible for grading. Sometimes even the savviest dealer would miss brush lines or some sort of environmental damage. Anyone who submits coins for grading knows that they may or may not be happy with the grade, but everyone hated a coin coming back “no grade”. Not only was it a waste of time and money, but the coin was also basically unsalable without certification.