I have NOT had it with PCGS

kieferscoins

In response to the thread I have had it with PCGS I would like to add a few of comments from the other side.

Dealers play the crackout game, and can make/loose money. I find those stories amazing, but as a collector, I have begun to submit more coins to PCGS than ever before. The submissions are small 3-8 coins each time, but they go into my registry set or my collection in general. I have found PCGS grading to be strict, but consistent. Do other small time submitters keep submitting or am I the only one? If so, are you submitting more now than before? No fingerprints, snot, delays or any problems for me. Way to go PCGS. No, I have not OD'd on PCGS kool-aid.

Cameron Kiefer

CalGold

Cameron,

As per my question in the other thread, why pay to grade coins you already own? To me PCGS grading is something I can use as a buyer or seller, but why should I pay to have them grade coins I already own and do not plan to sell? If I like a particular coin and am happy as a clam to own it, why rock the boat have it come back in a slab with a disappointing MS number on it. I might like it a lot less then even though it is the same coin--just because of the psychological factor of having it branded lower tier.

Russ

Since April, I have done a total of 12 submissions, totalling 61 coins. I have found them to be very INconsistent in their grading.

Russ, NCNE

MadMarty

But you did get the fingerprint bonus!

kieferscoins

<< <i>As per my question in the other thread, why pay to grade coins you already own? >>



I send coins in mostly for my CNS Type registry set.



<< <i>why rock the boat have it come back in a slab with a disappointing MS number on it. I might like it a lot less then even though it is the same coin--just because of the psychological factor of having it branded lower tier. >>



Crack it out and forget what PCGS says. PCGS is just another service for coin collectors just like Coinworld, coinshows, books, hobby shops etc. If you don't like it leave them alone. I just wanted to give a different side to the other thread.

Cameron Kiefer

mdwoods

I have to agree with Cameron, to me PCGS has been very good, and very consistent. I suppose there will come a time when I am less than satisfied with them, but for now, I have no complaints. Mark

Russ

Marty,

I will give them credit on that one. They stepped up to the plate and took care of the problem.

Russ, NCNE

MadMarty

They did on my "Not Genuine" 79 Type 2 Proof Quarter also, they told me Oops, we made a boo boo, send it back in and we'll fix it.. I guess I couldn't ask for anything more...

JJacks

I am a fairly small submitter, but I am nowhere near giving up on PCGS. I just find it hard to believe some of these other companies are so great, but people keep coming back to PCGS when buying coins. PCGS is still the best game in town.

JJacks

goyankeez

I never submitted a coin to PCGS, but have bought plenty of PCGS coins in the secondary market. Frankly, I wouldn't buy a slabbed coin from any other company. They're not consistent, but MORE consistent than anybody else. I like the slabbed coins for my Registry set, and for safe keeping. If I ever come across some raw coins that I collect, I might submit them for these purposes.

BigD5

I would guess that the biggest complainers are the modern coin submitters. Just a guess though. Grading those higher grade coins is sssoooooo subjective, of course the grades are going to be all over the place. I'd be going kookoo too! I've switched to ngc ( I don't submit ANY moderns), for my own reasons, and am very happy. Actually I've always done anacs for lesser priced stuff, and now ngc for the better stuff. I'm more "on the same page" with ngc than pcgs, in a nutshell. I guess you could say I had it with pcgs a couple of years ago but that's a bit harsh. I've just switched.

Clankeye

My sympathy for most of the complaining I read about PCGS is pretty much less than zero. Most of these guys are playing "the coin game" and they are doing it for money. I usually hate to traffic in cliches but "Live by the sword, die by the sword." There is risk inherent in everything.

If PCGS is careless with coins, fingerprinting, causing hazing, etc. that's a different matter. Then hold them accountable. But, if you're not getting the grades you want so you can turn a coin for a handsome buck on eBay, then just pay for your ticket and don't complain.

braddick

The more I learn about grading and the longer I collect the more I realize PCGS isn't as "off" as some may claim.
I also find that those who shout the loudest are also the ones collecting with the least experience.
Not always- (no need to flame out and state you've been at it for years with continued and utter disapointment in PCGS), but in general the more I learn the more I realize PCGS isn't THAT inconsistent out of the 50,000+ coins graded each month.

But then again, maybe my tolerance level has also adjusted to make up allowances.

IrishMike

It is amazing that someone collecting coins for 6 months to a year gets away with making blanket statements about the major grading companies, be it PCGS, ANACS. Statements like I know this or they are better at etc, make me smile everytime I read one of those posts. Or better yet in my experience (all of 6 months) this grading company in one point lower or this grading company is the most consistent. After over 40 years at this all I can say is that I realize I don't know which company is better at grading, but I know who was best at marketing.

dbldie55

There are many dealers who "are" better graders than PCGS has. But, you have to live with the grade they give you. Like TDN has said, entire bourse floors are talking. I really doubt that the entire industry has forgot how to grade. Very few people on these boards have that much experience, that I will agree with. But it isn't just those who are talking. Funny how you can take a coin out of a PCGS holder and have it come back graded lower and someone on these boards will say it was correct both times (and the coin "has not" changed). The "cheerleaders" on these boards have never seemed like qualified professionals in the responses they have given.

I will admit when we had the Proof coin in the Mint State holder (and thus worth half), Rick Montgomery had no problem leaving it in the wrong holder.

braddick

dbdie55- I never did catch all of the Proof/Uncirculated PCGS slabbed Liberty Nickel story. I know you received it back misattributed as "PR" when, in reality it is MintState, right?
You sent it back in and PCGS STILL tells you it's MintState?
That's the part I don't understand.

littlewicher

I have mixed feelings with PCGS. Their grading, I feel that they're just a little inconsistent, but not too bad. Customer service, sometimes it's excellent and sometimes it completely sucks. The finger prints is what really makes me mad. Charlie has been doing an excellent job dealing with the issue as I've heard.

dakra

My response is for Russ, Kiefer and Braddick.
(Of course I had to delete my 20 paragraph note and edited it)
Kiefer, I went with PCGS because they are the most trusted name in coin grading. I wanted to go with the number one coin grading service and I had high expectations... I still do!

Braddick, I resemble that remark! I figure your comment was not directed at anyone in particular but I am a Newbie in every stage of the coin grading game, i still have tons of questions but have also went out and have done a great deal of research, purchased many books and have read this message board everyday for the past two months.... even did well in some of the Coin Grading Give-A-Ways :-) To make a long story brief... I know the conditon of the coins I sent when I made my second submission and I did not receive my coins back in the same condition...which leads me to......

Russ, I will also give credit where credit is due. After some complaining they have shown a genuine interest in reviewing my coins... although it is a bit too early to give them Kudos, PCGS showing interest in the issues I brought up meant a great deal to me. In fact, CK sent me a PM recently to give me the status. Coincidentally, I opened my "test box" (the one I had in my car hot/cold to simulate postal delivery) and all my coins are still in good condition. No Haze, No Fingerprints... just coins in their flips.

Still, problems do happen... from what I understand they have been happening more in recent times. If you have never had an issue, that's great! I hope this was a one time issue for me and I can confidently send coins in for years to come.

-Dave

perfectstrike

Actually the grading is quite consistent, even on the moderns. It just seems that the standard has changed some, for at least one modern series. Just lay out a few pieces with the same grade from a few years apart. I wouldn't say better or worse.

I'm only a small collector, too. I sell very few of my submissions. I bought and read the books, bought some samples and worked with a few collectors and dealers to learn more. I only make 5-15 piece submissions. I submitted about 75 pieces before I hit ~75% prediction on a submission, in the same series. And I had dealers helping me with the first 4-5 submissions. I made a few more submissions with the same prediction success, then I went downhill. I've now got another ~50 pieces, from the same series, in the last 12-18 months. These threads made me stop, look and check what I've been doing over a 4-5 year timeline.

I'll be making better submissions, real soon now.

perfectstrike
(now much wiser)

Strat

A few years ago, after several disappointing submissions, where coins would come back graded lower than I thought, or would grade AU58 when they were clearly mint state, or would come back in bodybags for cleaning or questionable color, I figured it was just impossible for PCGS to give me a decent grade on a coin. I heard stories and had my doubts. Today, some of my coins actually grade what I think they should, and once in a while, a little higher. Perhaps they're inconsistent, and I'm riding a wave of their leniency, or perhaps at the time, I just didn't know what I was doing.

dakra

From what I have seen, PCGS appears to be tougher on the grading standards than other coin grading service but from what I have seen, you get a premium for PCGS slabs when selling. I like that fact.

-David