PCGS, ANACS, NGC...etc...Pros and Cons of each

maddox

What are the traits for some of the leading grading companies. ICG overgrades toned coins, ACG thinks everything is a MS67, PCGS is conservative and you have to get them on a good day...etc....

I've got several hundred Morgans to send out for slabbing and cost is a big issue, I want the coins graded fairly and I'm kinda torn between ANACS & PCGS....Any thoughts....

jamesfsm

I'd first have someone help you sort them out between what is worth grading and what is not. The ones to be submitted could go to any of PCGS/ANACS/NGC and frankly the grades will be pretty close, especially on white coins. If ANACS has their 10 coins at $10 each, returned in 10 days special going, I'd use them or PCGS's $15 economy service (depending on your coin values).

wingedliberty

If its strictly Morgans that you are sending, Honestly the big three are fairly consistent on Morgans,
and PL/DMPL designations as well as Vams. On a group of several hundred, I would send it to ANACS
at $10/coin. Morgans are very liquid in ANACS holders and are in high demand. Randy Campbell is
an expert in Morgans.


Brian..

hookedoncoins

PCGS - Good with Moderns, as well as pretty much everything else. Very strict grading, but not that consistant.
NGC - Very consistant. Good with most types as well as designations like FS, FBL, FB, etc. Very consistant and strict.
ANACS - Not as consistant with Moderns. Good with type coins, World coins, Errors, and Tokens.

-Jarrett Roberts

hookedoncoins

I would say PCGS would be the best one for morgans any day of the week, compared to ANACS.

-Jarrett Roberts

nwcs

If you're looking to resell, use PCGS or NGC. If you're looking for your own, then maybe consider cointain holders or another holder and save the $$$. CoinWorld holders are great, but can be a bit hazardous for really super coins. Takes some effort getting them in there.

prooflike

I'd go with PCGS, especially for any keys/semi-keys.

coinkat

Maddox:

If you are into VAMs and have any varieties that are noteworthy, I would send them to ANACs or NGC. If you have mostly high grade MS64+ generics, I would use PCGS. I don't think it is wise to spend $10-$15 to slab a common date Morgan that may only grade MS63 or lower. Don't have them slabbed for the sake of having them slabbed...just some thoughts

Catch22

From my limited experience, PCGS is the most forgiving of the three, NGC the most consistant, ANACS the toughest.

I'm sure there are many who would disagree with my personal take on the services, if for no other reason than the differences in the services in grading circulated vs uncirculated types. For me, choosing a service depends on the type of coin and it's condition.

I send uncirculated coins to PCGS, along with rare and key date coins that have very minor distractions that would be net graded from ANACS. PCGS just seems to be less inclined to bag a rare coin while ANACS will not blink at net grading for minor distractions.

I send problem free, circulated key dates to ANACS for economic reasons.

I have yet to find a reason to submit to NGC. Not because they aren't top notch, but rather because they are a little tougher and do not command a premium over PCGS.