Best Grading Service?

Justin

I am relatively new to coin collecting. What is the best grading service? Are there any I should avoid?

CharlieB

Despite the continuing controversy, overall it is PCGS, in my opinion.
Now watch the worms come out of the can I just opened.

- Charlie B -

Russ

PGS (aka Pushkin Grading Services).





Russ, NCNE

BillJones

I buy coins, not grading services. If you are looking for Mint State pieces PCGS and NGC are the best and the most marketable. If you are looking for AU coins ANACS comes into the picture. ANACS Mint State coins can also be quite nice, but you need to pick your spots.

Justin

What are AU coins and ANACS?

prooflike

I think overall it is PCGS, with NGC & ANACS a close second. I do not have the time to search on ebay for the other slabbers
(SEGS,ICG,ACG,etc.) because there are plenty of PCGS coins to choose from.

Here is what I am working on: a PCGS Morgan collection, and NGC 20th century MS type set and my favorite coin is in an ANACS holder.
So I don't have a 100% bias towards PCGS.


I tried an ACG coin once, never again. I traded and got an ICG MS dime in the lot, overgraded by 2 points. Never tried SEGS and don;t plan to.

PCGS is the best on classic silver and copper. PCGS is also decent with moderns.
NGC is between the above and the below, although I think NGC may be more consistent on 20th century silver, and too lenient on 20th century copper.
ANACS is good for varieties but I think they are terrible on moderns and inconsistent on classic silver/copper.
I've come to the point where I won;t consider any others.

IrishMike

Justin, au means about uncirculated. I suggest that you purchase the RedBook and some other books on coin collecting before you start purchasing coins. Bill Jones advice about the services is good. What got you into coin collecting in the first place?

Justin

IrishMike,

My father gave 43 US Proofs sets, 1959-2001 as a gift. I also have a few $50 Gold Eagles from 1986 and when I was younger I use to belong to a coin club. I have also buying 100 coin State Quarter bags for the last few years.

Twowood

Justin; Welcome to the world of coin collecting. Altho I'm also very new to the hobby and probably shouldn't be handing out advice, I agree with these veterans who all agree that PCGS is the leader among the grading companys.However, I would suggest that you creep before you walk as I've been doing.Buy a Redbook (8 or 9 bucks on ebay) and study the coins you're interested in, bid on a few PCGS or NGC coins (cheaper ones if you can find them!) and study them to see what an authentic MS 60/63, AU 50 or EF40 REALLY should look like, make friends with a dealer and pick his brain, and...most helpful...study this forum everyday. Twowood

Android

Justin,

As a relatively new collector, The biggest piece of advice i would give you regarding grading services is to never, NEVER buy coins on Ebay in an ACG holder. They sell at a deep discount compared to coins in PCGS or NGC holders for a reason. Do not confuse a deep discount for a good deal. They have a reputation for unacceptable grading standards amongst most collectors and dealers. After you learn about grading, and feel confident in your abilities, it is POSSIBLE to find a nice coin or two graded by ACG, but only if it is in your hand and you are looking at it.

Good luck!

Andy

P.S. ACG = Accugrade

mdwoods

Overall, PCGS is the number one slabber. NGC and ANACS are both close behind. PCGS coins have traditionally commanded a premium (on average, there are always exceptions). PCGS is supposedly going through a "tougher" stage, where they are more stingy with the grades handed out. I don't see enough coins to say if that is true or not, but I don't often hear of people complaining about PCGS being too lenient. Too me, that is a very good thing. My opinion, mdwoods.

DaveG

Justin and Android:

If you're new to coin collecting (or just feel you are), the best single piece of advice I could give you would be to encourage you (very strongly) to read "The Coin Collector's Survival Manual" by Scott Travers.

He discusses how to go about being a collector, how to buy, how to sell, discusses the grading services, the numismatic press, price guides, etc.

I think it's an invaluable book!

Justin

Than's DaveG. I will heed your advice. Do you work for Collector's Universe?

IrishMike

And, my best advice is don't buy a slab, buy the coin. There are plenty of overgraded, unattractive coins in everyone's slabs. If consistency in grading is what you want, then look closely at NGC and ANACS. If you want to start a registry set and pay inflated prices buy PCGS or join the NGC forum, they accept both NGC and PCGS coins in their registry. The employee at NGC also participate in the discussions over there. They also have a sister company which conserves and slabs coins, called NCS.

dorkkarl

justin, my advice is that time is better spent finding a good dealer than worrying about which slabing svc is "best". good luck, but the find is worth the search.

K S