Grading Question

Wisconsin

I know there has been a lot of discussion on crossing grades from different companies. My question is this:

Do the major companies, NGC, PCGS, ANACS all agree weather a coin is uncirculated. I see many nice ANACS coins in MS62-63. Does PCGS and NGC generally at least agree that they are UNC?? I have not had experience with this.

darktone

Wisconsin- very good question. In my opinion there are always coins that are on the line as far as being circulated or not and I think all the grading services are capable of grading a borderline coin AU or MS and giving the opposite grade next time it is submitted( it's happened to me when cracking a coin out a couple of times). I think ANACS has turned into one of the stricter graders the last couple of years. mike

Ronyahski

Excellent question. I have not noticed a grading difference between the services when evaluating high friction, roll rub, luster break, etc. Curious what others might say.

BillJones

Unfortunately all of the services are too inconsistent in their grading applications say whether a coin in a given holder will qualify for the same or different grade in another brand of holder. It also varies by series. For example virtually none of the early gold coins that I see in MS-61 and 62 holders are anywhere near to Mint State. Using my standards they grade between AU-55 and 58. Some of the later gold coins that are in MS-62 are in fact Mint State, and some of these pieces are terrific buys.

If the truth be known the so-called “precision grading” is not that precise, and as it was in the old days, it’s best to work with a dealer you trust if you have not acquired to skills to be sure of your own grading.

kieferscoins

I would be careful in the MS-60/61 range. I have a few PCGS AU coins with a little toning that ANACS and NGC put in a MS-61 grade. They are only a few, but any grading service can be off a point or two and the border between AU and MS is not well defined.

Cameron Kiefer

EVillageProwler

I have a Seated Dollar that is a somewhat better date in UNC. This coin is darkly and vividly toned. Everyone who's seen it loves the coin. Everyone of my friends who's seen it thinks the coin is at minimum close to an ChMS specimen.

It was in an NGC MS63 holder. I believe in the grade. For some stupid reason, I tried to cross it to PCGS. DNC, but they were willing to give me MS62. I declined, because I believed in the grade. I still do, btw.

I cracked it out, and PCGS graded it AU55. Can you imagine the words that came out of my mouth? Not here... This forum is too civil for that kind of language.

I cracked it out again, and submitted it to NGC, who graded it MS61. It may be the best darn MS61 one will find. It is eye appealing, it is lustrous, and it is very minimally marked.

Oh, well. I played the game, and now I'll take my lumps.

The coin currently resides in the MS61 holder. But, I may try again when I feel like it...

EVP

[edited to add: Roadrunner saw the coin recently, and the first thing he said was that the coin's undergraded.]

RLinn

I know the feeling. I have a 32-D Washington that has bounced around between PCGS and NGC with grades ranging from AU58 to MS62. To be honest, on any given day I can see both extremes in the coin. Personally I like it better as a stunning 58 than as a so-so 62. Doesn't really matter since its mine until I die.

dorkkarl

<< <i>Do the major companies...all agree weather a coin is uncirculated >>

friend, any 1 of the slabing companies can't agree w/ itself from day-to-day on what is unc or not, much less betwixt services!!!

i really question the "standards" (or lack thereof) of unc coins in plastic. far, far too many coins w/ friction make it into ms-60, 61, 62 or even higher slabs. & i don't buy the excuse of "cabinet friction" to the extent it's used.

K S

EVillageProwler

i think this thread shows why eye appeal is the best aspect for a coin's maintaining (or appreciating) its value.

if a bunch of people find it attractive today, chances are that a bunch of people will find it attractive in 30 years.

evp

Ronyahski

Bill Jones -



<< <i>For example virtually none of the early gold coins that I see in MS-61 and 62 holders are anywhere near to Mint State. Using my standards they grade between AU-55 and 58. >>



Bill, why? Are there consistent reasons for the difference of opinion?