Whats the deal with QA stickers?
scotty4449
Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭
Hello all!
I just bought a nice 67+ FT Roosevelt and it has a QA sticker on it. I have seen them around but never thought much about them. For kicks, I went to their website to verify the stick and I get "The requested URL was not found on this server." Is this a reputable company?
Pic for the curious
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Comments
I've seen them at shows. They have onsite services like other TPG's. They sticker the coins that CAC won't. Mostly moderns like Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, Kennedy halves etc. Pretty much anything that CAC won't touch.
Yep, the moderns are what they specialize in. They seem more reputable than PQ. But none of these publish any real standards.
Edit: Having reviewed the QA grading standards in detail I will emend my statement about "any real standards" as it applies to QA. I have made some suggestions that may or may not be helpful but they do describe what they are looking for in a coin.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
Nice Roosie! Yes, they are reputable although I personally don't care about stickers.
I asked Ian about them in April '19. Here's his reply...
Hi Gene,
Thank you for your message.
QA is owned/run by James Sego. Link: www.qacoins.com.
They review modern coins and assign stickers, similar to CAC, for the higher quality modern coins.
Regards,
Thanks for the replies! So they basically sticker the coins CAC wont, interesting. I know some people swear by CAC, is QA held in the same regard?
Thanks, I love toned Roosies! This one is mesmerizing to look at.
Hi - I am the owner of QA Check, and very proud of the work we do.
There is a comment here about our lack of published standards. I would ask that anyone that thinks we do not have standards to the utmost highest degree...look at the coin in this thread. Is that not gorgeous???
Still questioning our standards, send us a few coins. If you think we are off, I'll gladly refund your grading fees AND postage both ways.
Furthermore, we clearly articulate our standards on our website qacoins.com/grading-criteria/
I would add that our gold sticker is the most exclusive "Superlative" sticker in the business. Less than 1/2 of 1 % of the coins we see get our gold sticker.
Please no personal attacks that seem prevalent on these boards. Facts yes.
I looked at our cert verification function, and there does appear to be an issue. It will be addressed when we return to the office on Tuesday.
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
Awesome, thanks for the information Segoja! There is no doubt about the Roosie I bought, I think it beats out DL Hansen's 1963 67+ FT!
It's a beautiful Roosie and James Sego knows his Roosies.
For moderns, I think so, although I've never used them (I'm not a modern collector). They'll even sticker bullion based coins like ASE's etc. I've seen strictly modern dealers at shows with cases full of QA stickered coins. You should check their website at http://qacoins.com. There's lots of info about them there including their grading standards and an extensive Q and A section that explains a lot of what and how they do what they do.
I don't think QA has achieved the same stature as CAC in the marketplace. Given the lower value overall of the coins they sticker, it represents a higher incremental cost, so a higher percentage of eligible coins never get submitted.
I can personally attest to the veracity of QA grading and the legitimacy of the sticker.
I think I submitted 8-10 coins the first week they were grading . . . .actually almost like a 'walk-through' . . . at Long Beach. James was very personable, took the coins, and they disappeared for grading. He had one other employee there at the time, but James is the man on the grading. They are not trying to be in a same market as CAC. If you look at what they serve, you will understand.
Back the next day . . . . I had a couple in there that were monster toners . . . . some got a sticker . . some did not. James explained the grading, the stickering . . .it made sense and he showed me several points I had not considered. I learned quite a bit.
All-in-all . . . .for the niche market they serve . . . they serve it quite well. I had a voucher I never used . . .from years ago. Probably a mistake I made . . . . .
Drunner
QA, it;s like cacs but only better, not as good as the BW though.
PS, I'd certainly introduce that dime to the Weiman's. Congrats!
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
I haven's submitted any coins to James, but he's a great guy and always fun to chat with at shows. I've purchased a handful of nice coins from him over the years. IIRC, this one was before the QA business got started:
There might be a bit of an overlap between CAC and QA. They both sticker Ikes, I believe.
Sorry, but I don't agree with the sticker business. That's just me!
Yes, QA is a very reputable company. I have known James for 20 + years I guess. Last time I submitted they all came back with a sticky note attached to any coins that didn't pass and get stickered. The note tells you the reason they failed and it is very helpful. James has one of the best eye's out there. Of course I expected every coin that I sent to sticker,,,,,,,,, he see's things that I missed. When I reviewed the note on each coin sure enough he was right and there was a problem as described that I didn't see until he pointed it out. That reminds me,,,,, I need to send in another batch,,,,,, since I have time to get it together,,,,,, sitting at home in quarantine like everyone else.
What is BW?
The only Ike in my collection PCGS 65 QA:
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
The only Ike in my collection.......and I got it at a PCGS Luncheon....FREE!
Weiman's?
Just to add one comment this morning. I’ll be reviewing the link on the grading standards above later this weekend. When I made my comment it was intended to be a general comment on the stickering world and not just this one service.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
Nice coin! Really like the toning.
I have seen coins offered with the QA sticker.... and felt they were deserving. Thanks to @segoja for his input and the link....Cheers, RickO