Who should grade IHCs, PCGS or NGC?

RLinn

I've got a couple of IHCs that run from MS64 - MS66. A couple have nice toning but one looks AT to me. Which service (PCGS or NGC) do you think does the best job with IHCs and copper toning?

toothpuller

Currently you probably have a better chance of getting the coins in NGC holders than PCGS ones. PCGS
has been pretty rough on copper lately. A coin will be worth more in a PCGS holder than an NGC holder assuming it would attain the same grade by each service. This is not a given assumption because PCGS is probably a half to a full grade tougher than NGC. The PCGS color guarantee is important as is the fact that more Registry participants prefer PCGS. So if you have a coin solid for the grade go PCGS. If its borderline you could consider NGC in hopes of attaining a higher grade.

IrishMike

This is one I have too agonized over. More so lately, I began to collect another set of IHC's in PCGS holders, because of their copper guarantee and perceived higher value. But, I am finding just as nice coins in NGC and ANACS holders. I think NGC (well we know) was too loose on IHC's during a time period in the past, thus a little premium for PCGS. Who knows what will happen in the future. If its a solid coin for the grade, I try PCGS .

Elcontador

NGC for many years has been (and maybe still is) a good 1/2 to 1 full point looser on grading older copper and nickel coinage. As an example, look at pop reports for MS 66 Liberty Nickels; there are far more NGC coins than PCGS coins at this grade. Then look at them. I have looked at 30 PCGS MS 66 Liberty Nickels. Every single one of them had more eye appeal (better luster, fewer marks, carbon spots, etc.,) than their NGC counterparts.

Same thing re Braided Hair Large Cents. There's a reason why greysheet for PCGS coins of these denominations is so much higher than their NGC counterparts. If your old copper coin is solid for the grade, get it in a PCGS holder. If it's a liner coin, consider NGC. Shylock has made this point far more eloquently than I have re IHC & I hope he weighs in on this.

If specialize in these coins, you may be able to find a really nice NGC coin, get it crossed to a PCGS holder & make some $. I did this once.

shylock

Lakesammman and I joked at Long Beach that we should just start following dealers back to their table after picking up their upgrade/crossover rejections from PCGS. Great buys can be had now with certain borderline coins.

PCGS is tough with small cents these days and have always been paranoid about unusual color due to their guaranty. As Mike mentioned, NGC had a real soft period for copper grading which reflects in many of their prices, and have always been much more forgiving with copper toning in particular (see the 1898 I posted in my toning bug thread). PCGS would add the most perceived value to your coins, but if any get bodybagged you feel strongly about don't give up on them. Try again at a later date or give NGC a try -- they look nicer in the white holders anyway!

Coulport

If your Indian cents have any color, other than brown, PCGS will likely kill them.
Go with NGC.