Possibly controversial thread about grading services

EVillageProwler

So I don't have to type the post twice, please click on the link below:

LINK

EVP

oldcameoproofsguy

So you want positive feedback about grading services.

The great majority of my coin purchases are slabbed coins from either the PCGS or the NGC. IMO these two services grade the most consistently and conservatively. A coin slabbed by either service will often command a sight unseen premium over coins slabbed by another service. I don't often see coins graded in either of these holders that are way off the mark. For me there is a better confidence factor associated with the PCGS and NGC, that what is in the holder is deserving of the grade.

EVillageProwler

Why is it that when someone asks for positive comments only re grading services, we don't get many responses?

Thanks, Cameo, for your response.

EVP

nwcs

Overall, I'm grateful for the grading services. When I first came back into the coin collecting world, I knew there were many who would take advantage of the fact that I was not a good grader. And I had been ripped by other dealers before (where it was obvious). So my first coin was a 1898-O Morgan PCGS-65. I was very pleased and thought it was great. I had an assurance that it was at what it was supposed to be (and is, now that I learned more).

I eventually became a gold collectors club member and submitted (including the 29 I sent yesterday) around 90 coins. My only complaint is that it can get expensive. But I have not had a single complaint about the coins. And when I did, after I learned more about grading I saw I was wrong and they were right. And I think PCGS is more generous than we give them credit for with giving away the blue boxes quite freely with small submissions, free gradings for the registry set, and the quarterly free grading.

Right now I have around 62 PCGS slabs, 1 NGC and 1 SEGS. And in a month or so it'll be 91 PCGS, 1 NGC and 1 SEGS.

Neil

CarsonCityGold

My most recent experience with PCGS on 3 crossover NGC slabs requesting "regular" service. I shipped on 10-1, they received 10-4, they shipped 10-15, I received 10-21. IMHO, great service. You just couldn't ask for much quicker than that. Later, CCG

BigD5

I would ditto a lot of what Hoot mentioned from the other board.
Counterfeit detection seems to be excellent with all three.
I also think Anacs is better than most give them credit for.
Pcgs has better resale value in the modern coin segment/market
Can't get my brain to work any harder right now. I'll have to come back to this one. Good post.

CarlWohlforth

I like how NGC is more responsive with their Registry program. It is nice to be heard.

I find both NGC and PCGS to be reasonably consistent within their own standards.

I like the PCGS standards for modern deep cameo proofs.

PCGS lived up to its guarantee several times. (I've only tried NGC's guarantee once and am waiting for results)


Now if it is controversy you want you would need to ask for complaints

dorkkarl

these are the 5 positive remarks i feel comfortable stating about anacs, pcgs, ngc:

(1) remarkably consistent w/ catching counterfeit coins. i have never personally handled one of these 3 slabs w/ a counterfeit federal-minted coin.

(2) the plastic appears to provide excellent protection from environmental effects

(3) there does appear to be an attempt to standardize grading w/ regards to business aspects, though i will not comment on the "hobby" aspects of the grading

(4) at least some attempt was made towards guaranteeing grades, ie. the grade is 50% guaranteed.

(5) serialization of the slabs may be a deterrent to theft, though of course it is useless if a coin is cracked out

K S

braddick

Excellent question! I'm looking forward to reading a variety of opinions as the day unfolds.
For me I have found both NGC and PCGS to have improved dramatically over the last 12 months. So much so that I would now find it difficult to come up with even a short list of negatives, had that been the requested response.

PCGS and NGC are closer in line (now) with consistency in grading Classic Coinage. It is now almost a simple "which flavor do I like best" instead of a judgement call based on more sound reasoning.
Turn-around-times as improved, customer realations is way up (especially with NGC) and both their marketing of the Registeries is top notch.

I only submit to PCGS and NGC now (with the occassional 'fun' grouping going to PCI), although I will also buy ANACS and SEGS if a cool coin comes along.

Great Thread EVP! I'm glad you asked this question in the format you did.

MAULUMALL

I just yesterday joined NGC.I called them yesterday and asked if I could take coins and drop them off as I will be in Florida soon.They said,"Sure,come on in".The main reason I joined is NCS.I have 20 or so coins that I am dropping off to get worked on.
I like the fact that I can walk in and check them out.I am also a member of PCGS. If I lived in Ca. I would probably drop in to PCGS but I won't be out west for a a few months.

Dog97

I got to make a post without saying something negative? !@#$!!
I like PCGS because collectors buy their product for the slab and rarely notice the condition of the coin inside at highest prices of all services which benefits me when I sell.
I like NGC because hardly anybody uses their Set Registry so I don't have to compete with number on insert crazed collectors and benefits me as I scarf up the neglected & overlooked nice coins in their slabs.
I like ANACS because they have met my error coin certification needs for about 5 years now.
I can't think of anything else good to say.

IrishMike

rofl Dog97

EVillageProwler

Dog,

What you posted is akin to saying that one likes Hitler because he single-handedly caused the destruction of the Bismark legacy of German militarism...

EVP

Dog97

Uhmmm...ok.
dog scratching head

EVillageProwler

Dog,

What I meant was that your post was an indirect insult...

But, it was very witty!

EVP

Dog97

No No you took it wrong.
PCGS & NGC grade about the same and saying NGC has better customer service than PCGS would be a negative we weren't sposed to say so I made the buy/sell remark because there are certian Classics that I buy that sell for crazy money in PCGS slabs but I can get the same kind of coin in NGC slabs for a lot less $$. I've noticed that about certian Moderns too, especially in the MS & PR 69/70 grade.
I got hooked up with ANACS because NGC & PCGS weren't grading errors when I started collecting them. PCGS was slow about getting with the error program and when they did they charged $30 per coin. ANACS has always charged $9 so I'm a loyal fan of them so PCGS & NGC misses out on my error biz.
I don't send regular coins to ANACS because I don't like their overgrading but on errors that doesn't matter, only the protection & attribution does and ANACS does a good job of that.

EVillageProwler

BTW, Dog, I wasn't criticizing you for your post. I was actually trying to tease you a bit for your left-handed commentary. And, I just realized that I forgot to include a smiley-face...



Regards,

EVP

Nic

Thanks all, great post and reply's...including misunderstandings . I like the main services because they have truly allowed expansion of the rare coin market. K