REPOST Slabbing companies, their discription and relative "value" (From R.C.C.)
mrdq
Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭
This is from the usenet group rec.collecting.coins
This was posted here and some changes were made by condor and others but I can't find the notes to make the changes before reposting. Feel free to make the changes again and i'll try to not repost inaccurate info again
Subject: Coin Grading and Authentication Services (periodic posting)
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 14:14:57 GMT
From: Reid Goldsborough <reidgold@netaxs.com>
Organization: Excite@Home - The Leader in Broadband http://home.com/faster
Newsgroups: rec.collecting.coins
Coin Grading and Authentication Services
(added info about services for ancients)
First-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)
http://www.pcgs.com
800-447-8848
* PCGS-graded coins have highest retail value of any grading company,
according to the Coin Dealer Newsletter
* Charges $30 for pre-1970 coins for 30-day turnaround, plus shipping
and insurance
* Registered eBay users can submit to PCGS and get a 10% rebate
credited to their eBay account at http://pcgs.com/ebay
* Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee
* Guarantee: PCGS, unlike NGC, ANACS, ICG, and SEGS, is not specific
about its guarantee at its Web site. On the phone, a customer service
rep said if you buy a PCGS-graded coin and feel PCGS overgraded it,
you can submit it to PCGS for re-examination. Unlike with the other
services, though, you're charged the regular $25 grading fee for this
re-examination. If PCGS determines that the actual grade is lower than
the grade on the slab, it will work with you, either paying you the
difference between the fair market value of the coin at the
re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally
assigned by PCGS or buying the coin outright from you.
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America)
http://www.ngccoin.com
800-642-2646
* Can be more difficult to get less-than-perfect circulated coins in
an NGC slab than a PCGS slab, depending on the series
* Charges $28 for coins over $300 with 12-day turnaround; $15 for
coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5 coin minimum, plus
shipping and insurance
* Registered eBay users can submit to NGC and get a 10% rebate
credited to their eBay account at
http://www.ngccoin.com/ebay_ngcvalue.cfm
* Any ANA member can submit to NGC by sending their coins to the ANA
Collector Services Department, 818 North Cascade Ave., Colorado
Springs, CO 80903, phone: 800-467-5725
* Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee
* Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper NGC-graded coin and feel NGC
overgraded it, you can submit it to NCG for re-examination for free.
If NGC determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the
slab, it will, at NGC's option, either replace the coin for one at the
originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair
market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair
market value at the grade originally assigned by NGC, with the fair
market value determined by NGC using "reliable current market
information," which it says do not include Internet auctions/sales.
Second-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.)
http://www.icgcoin.com
877-221-4424
* Uses Intercept Shield slabs designed to protect coins from toning
and other environmental damage. Criticized for being too liberal with
PR-70 and MS-70 grades and for overgrading modern coins.
* Only major grading service that authenticates, grades, and slabs
ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most
of the ancient coin community
* Charges $30 for coins over $300 for nondealers for 15-day
turnaround, plus shipping and insurance; $15 for coins under $300 for
21-day turnaround with 5-coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance
* Bodybags problem coins -- credits fee to your account with exception
of $5 processing fee
* Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper ICG-graded coin and feel ICG
overgraded it, you can submit it to ICG for re-examination for free.
If ICG determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the
slab, it will, at ICG's option, either replace the coin for one at the
originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair
market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair
market value at the grade originally assigned by ICG, with the fair
market value "determined solely by ICG."
ANACS (Amos Certification Service)
http://www.anacs.com
800-888-1861
* More liberal with grading in general than PCGS or NGC. Problems
noted on the slab can be much more visible than the problems on the
coin.
* Charges $12 + $9 for five-day service + $10 for return shipping and
insurance = $31
* Without five-day service turnaround five to six weeks
* With problem coins, notes problem and gives both technical and net
grade
* Guarantee: If you buy a gold or silver ANACS-graded coin and feel
ANACS overgraded it, you can submit it to ANACS for re-examination for
a $15 fee. If ANACS determines that the actual grade is lower than the
grade on the slab, it will refund your $15 fee and pay you the
difference between the fair market value of the coin at the
re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally
assigned by ANACS, using "the most accurate pricing guide(s) as
determined by ANACS." On the phone, a customer service rep said that
another option you have is to request that ANACS buy the coin outright
from you.
Third-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
SEGS (Sovereign Entities Grading Service)
http://www.segsgrading.com
888-768-7261
* Attractive slabs. More liberal with its grading in general than any
of the above grading services.
* Charges $10 + $.45 return shipping + $7.85 insurance ($600 coin) =
$18.30
* Turnaround 15 to 20 working days
* Option: Prescreen fee is only $5 instead of normal $10
(authenticates and grades but doesn't slab)
* With problem coins, notes problem (said to be fairly picky in noting
problems) and gives technical grade
* Guarantee: If you buy a SEGS-graded coin within six months after
SEGS graded it and feel SEGS overgraded it, you can submit it to SEGS
for re-examination for a $20 fee. If SEGS determines that the actual
grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will refund your $20 fee
and pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin
at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade
originally assigned by SEGS, as determined by SEGS "based on recent
actual transactions in the market place for coins of that type,
variety, error, and/or grade."
PCI (Photo-Certified Coin Institute)
http://www.chattanooga.net/pci
800-277-2646
* Least expensive legitimate grading service. Recently changed
ownership -- questions about erosion of grading standards. Even before
ownership change, grading said to be somewhat erratic.
* Charges $7.50 + $.50 return shipping + $7.88 for insurance ($600
coin) = $15.88
* Turnaround six days
* Guarantee: PCI makes no mention of any guarantee at its Web site.
But on the phone, a customer service rep said if you buy a PCI-graded
coin and feel PCI overgraded it, you can submit it to PCI for
re-examination at no charge. If PCI determines that the actual grade
is lower than the grade on the slab, it will pay you the difference
between the market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and
the market value at the grade originally assigned by PCI, with market
value determined by Greysheet Bid.
Bottom Feeders -- Market Acceptance Only Among Ignorant
The grading services below are "self slabbers," very small operations that don't provide a guarantee that
the coins they grade are graded correctly or even authentic.
ACG (AccuGrade): Habitually and substantially overgrades compared with
other grading services and compared with both the ANA and Photograde
grading guidelines. Slabs severely cleaned, damaged coins that other
services would not. As a result of its extremely loose standards,
Heritage Numismatic Auctions will not accept for consignment or
otherwise auction coins in ACG slabs.
NCG (National Coin Grading): Meant to be confused with NGC. No longer in business
PCS: Meant to be confused with PCGS.
NTC (Numistrust Corp.)
DCGS (Digital Coin Grading Service)
MCGS (Modern Coin Grading Service) Should be MCGC and thought to be no longer in business
TCTS (Tom's Coins Technical Services) No longer takes submissions from the general public
Authentication Only
ANAAB (American Numismatic Association Authentication Bureau) NO LONGER IN BUSINESS
Foreign Coins
ICCS (International Coin Certification Service)
416-488-8620
Small coin-grading service in Toronto respected in the Canadian market
Ancient Coins
ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service)
http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html
* Authenticates and attributes but does not grade or slab. Coins are
accompanied by black-and-white photo and certificate. Service of David
Sear, author of the Greek Coins and Their Values, Roman Coins and
Their Values, and other standard ancient numismatic attribution works.
* Charges $30 for basic service or $40 for detailed service. Detailed
service includes extra information about the coin's historical
significance.
* Turnaround two to three weeks. With express service, which costs
extra $15 per coin (three coin maximum), turnaround time is three
working days
* Does not offer guarantee
IBSCC (International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins)
http://www.iapn.ch
* Authentication available only for dealer members of IAPN
(International Association of Professional Numismatists). Works with
more than 100 outside experts.
* No certificate issued
* Does not offer guarantee
The British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/coins
* Authenticates
* Charges only return postage
* No certificate issued
* Does not offer guarantee
change made, thanks TombB, condor101
This was posted here and some changes were made by condor and others but I can't find the notes to make the changes before reposting. Feel free to make the changes again and i'll try to not repost inaccurate info again
Subject: Coin Grading and Authentication Services (periodic posting)
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 14:14:57 GMT
From: Reid Goldsborough <reidgold@netaxs.com>
Organization: Excite@Home - The Leader in Broadband http://home.com/faster
Newsgroups: rec.collecting.coins
Coin Grading and Authentication Services
(added info about services for ancients)
First-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)
http://www.pcgs.com
800-447-8848
* PCGS-graded coins have highest retail value of any grading company,
according to the Coin Dealer Newsletter
* Charges $30 for pre-1970 coins for 30-day turnaround, plus shipping
and insurance
* Registered eBay users can submit to PCGS and get a 10% rebate
credited to their eBay account at http://pcgs.com/ebay
* Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee
* Guarantee: PCGS, unlike NGC, ANACS, ICG, and SEGS, is not specific
about its guarantee at its Web site. On the phone, a customer service
rep said if you buy a PCGS-graded coin and feel PCGS overgraded it,
you can submit it to PCGS for re-examination. Unlike with the other
services, though, you're charged the regular $25 grading fee for this
re-examination. If PCGS determines that the actual grade is lower than
the grade on the slab, it will work with you, either paying you the
difference between the fair market value of the coin at the
re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally
assigned by PCGS or buying the coin outright from you.
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America)
http://www.ngccoin.com
800-642-2646
* Can be more difficult to get less-than-perfect circulated coins in
an NGC slab than a PCGS slab, depending on the series
* Charges $28 for coins over $300 with 12-day turnaround; $15 for
coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5 coin minimum, plus
shipping and insurance
* Registered eBay users can submit to NGC and get a 10% rebate
credited to their eBay account at
http://www.ngccoin.com/ebay_ngcvalue.cfm
* Any ANA member can submit to NGC by sending their coins to the ANA
Collector Services Department, 818 North Cascade Ave., Colorado
Springs, CO 80903, phone: 800-467-5725
* Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee
* Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper NGC-graded coin and feel NGC
overgraded it, you can submit it to NCG for re-examination for free.
If NGC determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the
slab, it will, at NGC's option, either replace the coin for one at the
originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair
market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair
market value at the grade originally assigned by NGC, with the fair
market value determined by NGC using "reliable current market
information," which it says do not include Internet auctions/sales.
Second-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.)
http://www.icgcoin.com
877-221-4424
* Uses Intercept Shield slabs designed to protect coins from toning
and other environmental damage. Criticized for being too liberal with
PR-70 and MS-70 grades and for overgrading modern coins.
* Only major grading service that authenticates, grades, and slabs
ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most
of the ancient coin community
* Charges $30 for coins over $300 for nondealers for 15-day
turnaround, plus shipping and insurance; $15 for coins under $300 for
21-day turnaround with 5-coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance
* Bodybags problem coins -- credits fee to your account with exception
of $5 processing fee
* Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper ICG-graded coin and feel ICG
overgraded it, you can submit it to ICG for re-examination for free.
If ICG determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the
slab, it will, at ICG's option, either replace the coin for one at the
originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair
market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair
market value at the grade originally assigned by ICG, with the fair
market value "determined solely by ICG."
ANACS (Amos Certification Service)
http://www.anacs.com
800-888-1861
* More liberal with grading in general than PCGS or NGC. Problems
noted on the slab can be much more visible than the problems on the
coin.
* Charges $12 + $9 for five-day service + $10 for return shipping and
insurance = $31
* Without five-day service turnaround five to six weeks
* With problem coins, notes problem and gives both technical and net
grade
* Guarantee: If you buy a gold or silver ANACS-graded coin and feel
ANACS overgraded it, you can submit it to ANACS for re-examination for
a $15 fee. If ANACS determines that the actual grade is lower than the
grade on the slab, it will refund your $15 fee and pay you the
difference between the fair market value of the coin at the
re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally
assigned by ANACS, using "the most accurate pricing guide(s) as
determined by ANACS." On the phone, a customer service rep said that
another option you have is to request that ANACS buy the coin outright
from you.
Third-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance
SEGS (Sovereign Entities Grading Service)
http://www.segsgrading.com
888-768-7261
* Attractive slabs. More liberal with its grading in general than any
of the above grading services.
* Charges $10 + $.45 return shipping + $7.85 insurance ($600 coin) =
$18.30
* Turnaround 15 to 20 working days
* Option: Prescreen fee is only $5 instead of normal $10
(authenticates and grades but doesn't slab)
* With problem coins, notes problem (said to be fairly picky in noting
problems) and gives technical grade
* Guarantee: If you buy a SEGS-graded coin within six months after
SEGS graded it and feel SEGS overgraded it, you can submit it to SEGS
for re-examination for a $20 fee. If SEGS determines that the actual
grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will refund your $20 fee
and pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin
at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade
originally assigned by SEGS, as determined by SEGS "based on recent
actual transactions in the market place for coins of that type,
variety, error, and/or grade."
PCI (Photo-Certified Coin Institute)
http://www.chattanooga.net/pci
800-277-2646
* Least expensive legitimate grading service. Recently changed
ownership -- questions about erosion of grading standards. Even before
ownership change, grading said to be somewhat erratic.
* Charges $7.50 + $.50 return shipping + $7.88 for insurance ($600
coin) = $15.88
* Turnaround six days
* Guarantee: PCI makes no mention of any guarantee at its Web site.
But on the phone, a customer service rep said if you buy a PCI-graded
coin and feel PCI overgraded it, you can submit it to PCI for
re-examination at no charge. If PCI determines that the actual grade
is lower than the grade on the slab, it will pay you the difference
between the market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and
the market value at the grade originally assigned by PCI, with market
value determined by Greysheet Bid.
Bottom Feeders -- Market Acceptance Only Among Ignorant
The grading services below are "self slabbers," very small operations that don't provide a guarantee that
the coins they grade are graded correctly or even authentic.
ACG (AccuGrade): Habitually and substantially overgrades compared with
other grading services and compared with both the ANA and Photograde
grading guidelines. Slabs severely cleaned, damaged coins that other
services would not. As a result of its extremely loose standards,
Heritage Numismatic Auctions will not accept for consignment or
otherwise auction coins in ACG slabs.
NCG (National Coin Grading): Meant to be confused with NGC. No longer in business
PCS: Meant to be confused with PCGS.
NTC (Numistrust Corp.)
DCGS (Digital Coin Grading Service)
MCGS (Modern Coin Grading Service) Should be MCGC and thought to be no longer in business
TCTS (Tom's Coins Technical Services) No longer takes submissions from the general public
Authentication Only
ANAAB (American Numismatic Association Authentication Bureau) NO LONGER IN BUSINESS
Foreign Coins
ICCS (International Coin Certification Service)
416-488-8620
Small coin-grading service in Toronto respected in the Canadian market
Ancient Coins
ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service)
http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html
* Authenticates and attributes but does not grade or slab. Coins are
accompanied by black-and-white photo and certificate. Service of David
Sear, author of the Greek Coins and Their Values, Roman Coins and
Their Values, and other standard ancient numismatic attribution works.
* Charges $30 for basic service or $40 for detailed service. Detailed
service includes extra information about the coin's historical
significance.
* Turnaround two to three weeks. With express service, which costs
extra $15 per coin (three coin maximum), turnaround time is three
working days
* Does not offer guarantee
IBSCC (International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins)
http://www.iapn.ch
* Authentication available only for dealer members of IAPN
(International Association of Professional Numismatists). Works with
more than 100 outside experts.
* No certificate issued
* Does not offer guarantee
The British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/coins
* Authenticates
* Charges only return postage
* No certificate issued
* Does not offer guarantee
change made, thanks TombB, condor101
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0
Comments
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
noted on the slab can be much more visible than the problems on the
coin."
This is demonstrably false. ANACS is tougher than NGC/PCGS in some series and looser in others. Overall, I think ANACS is very "tight."
note that zero of the services guarantees the grade where a coin is UNDERgraded. that's strike #1 against the services, imo.
K S
NCG no longer in business
MCGS should be MCGC and they may no longer be in business. Their website has not been updated since March 2001.
TCTS is still operating but no longer accepts submissions from the public.