Decreasing PCGS Population Numbers
DisneyFan
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I have been tracking PCGS population numbers for coin series that I collect for several years now. Basically, the numbers have been going steadily up; but, every now and then I see a drastic decrease in the POP. Has anybody else noticed this? Normally, I see the POP in a certain grade increase by a small number. Sometimes I see the POP drop down by one or two and then see a corresponding increase in the next grade higher.
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What is the coin series you collect and have been tracking ?
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
It’s possible that someone sent in some old certs from cracked out coins.
" Sometimes I see the POP drop down by one or two and then see a corresponding increase in the next grade higher."
Gradeflation, and it's part of the game being played. Multiple submissions of the same coin until it upgrades.
Has to be the submission of old certification labels of coins resubmitted. The services will reduce the population numbers in the grades of the labels they get back.
Put another way it's unlikely population numbers for almost any coin are as great as the numbers suggest.
It could also be PCGS invalidating some. I had a 93-S Dollar I had to get PCGS to reinstate.
The returned labels are probably processed in batches.
He who knows he has enough is rich.
I'll give you two examples.
1899-O Barber dime. Previous: 13 in MS 66, 2 finer. Now: 8 in MS66, 3 finer.
1939 Arkansas Commemorative: Previous: 95+18 in MS 66, 4 finer. Now: 68+18 in MS66, 5+1 finer.
These numbers can be verified by checking the PCGS auction records.
I do remember Q. David Bowers saying grading the Arkansas Commemoratives is a black art. : )
There are many proof coppers that will (or should) be downgraded to RB due to mellowing red color. My '51 Lincoln in NGC Pf 67 RD Cameo went to 67 RB Cameo on a reholder request thus pop went to 18 rather than 19.
Returned labels. I track the Liberty Nickel pops, and every now and then I have a month with lots of "red" (numbers going down).
Updates due to the return of labels, reconsiderations, and fixing database errors is my guess.