Does ANACS use the official ANA grading standards?

AlbumNerd

I can't find any info on ANACS website on their official grading standards. Since ANACS originally came from the ANA, it would make sense they stuck with the ANA grading standards.

But I've heard that over the years ANACS has moved more towards market grading and less technical grading.

MWallace

This is second hand information and I can in no way prove it, but it came from a close friend and I believe him. He had a discussion with the ANA folks some years ago and they do not go by ANA grading standards.

mr1931S

Looking at my ANACS slabbed coins, I'm seeing evidence that no, they do not go by ANA's guide.

TomB

ANACS has not been owned or operated by the ANA for decades and has gone through more than one ownership change in the intervening time, which would make it no more likely to utilize ANA standards than any other grading service. In other words, they no doubt use something similar to some aspects of the ANA guidelines, but then use their own proprietary grading just like every other grading service.

coastaljerseyguy

They might have followed the ANA standards when they were owned by them and that many collectors consider those older holders to be very conservatively graded.

AlbumNerd

I gave ANACS customer service a call and they said that they still use the ANA standards.

If so, it's really odd they don't make this clear on their website

BStrauss3

@MWallace said:
This is second hand information and I can in no way prove it, but it came from a close friend and I believe him. He had a discussion with the ANA folks some years ago and they do not go by ANA grading standards.

The ANA sold ANACS to Amos Press in 1990. Under Amos Press, then Anderson Press ownership they transitioned to "market" grading. That was at least two ownership changes ago.

@coastaljerseyguy said:
They might have followed the ANA standards when they were owned by them and that many collectors consider those older holders to be very conservatively graded.

Yes and no. The ANA standards are quite technical and today's market grading can be plus or minus for appearance. A coin that's been off the market since the 90s probably will upgrade. But one that's bounced around for 30 years almost certainly won't.

@AlbumNerd said:
I gave ANACS customer service a call and they said that they still use the ANA standards.

If so, it's really odd they don't make this clear on their website

They would also be the only people on the planet except for a couple of curmudgeons still hand writing grades on their 2x2s.

AlbumNerd

FYI I emailed ANACS and now they say that they sometimes use the ANA standards but generally do Market Grading

Project Numismatics

@AlbumNerd said:
FYI I emailed ANACS and now they say that they sometimes use the ANA standards but generally do Market Grading

Have to appreciate the candor of that reply!

telephoto1

"Market Grading"="Gradeflation"

logger7

A numbrer of their older small white holder coins had overgraded coins imo.

BStrauss3

The later-day Amos coins... yep