Consider this, with all the flack PCGS is getting, considering they graded millions of coins, they a

wingedliberty

With all the talk of poor service and recent tightening, consider the facts and the sheer volume.
I have no problem with PCGS.

Also consider this as well. How many people who gripe have a ANA grading guide and a PCGS grading guide. I understand that commercial grading standards fluctuate, but its a start.


Brian.

mr3holesinone

Very true. Millions of coins graded through the years and very few people qualified enough to do the job. I've seen a lot of negative talk about how 20 seconds isn't enough time to properly grade a coin. I feel that for most most coins the graders probably know within seconds what grade they are going to assign after just a glance. Twenty seconds is enough time to confirm their first suspicions. For those coins where the difference between grades is a large amount and the coin is close to either of two grades, those are the coins I imagine them taking their time with.

Grades ARE just opinions. Thankfully, ANACS, NGC and PCGS, have been fairly consistent through the years. Yes, you can find the dogs that are now buried in their slabs because no one in their right mind will ever crack them out. Those that are undergraded tend to be quickly resubmitted so that they too can find their maximum value. For the most part however, the grading by the above mentioned services tends to be a fairly accurate indicator of what we now believe to be the grading scale. That is, you won't find MS-63 coins in MS-66 holders or vice versa.

Does the standard sometimes deviate from what we've become accustomed to? Of course. Why? I think there can be many reasons. Employee turnover would be a big reason. If your number one man leaves the company and goes to the competitor a new number one must come in. Maybe he is stricter than the last guy or maybe management says we will be even more tighter on what leaves from now on in our slabs. Or, maybe the company changes policies to create more business, temporarily at least. If it lasts too long the competitors will begin getting more submissions won't they? Or, after years of resubmissions, most coins are IN their slab forever. New graders have become accustomed to these "barely there" graded coins and start lowering their standards, it would seem likely that it could happen.

Whatever we may think of the grading services, I believe they have helped the hobby. Could you recognize a whizzed coin if it wasn't labeled as such? Have you inherited coins labeled as Gem BU only to discover they're commercial uncs, i.e., nice looking AU? It gives people the freedom to buy and sell sight unseen if they so please. And finally, it has made coins much more liquid as an asset. You don't have to get lucky to get half your value back on something you bought. If it's slabbed by one of the top three you'll likely get your most of your money back unless you've paid too much of a premium.

jbsteven

winged:

I bet if one of your $2000 coins came back with fingerprints on it you would have a different view. IMO

copperhead

All this talk about tightening the standards. Standards are just that STANDARDS. If a coin is a 66 then it is a 66. Grading companies can't just decide to give it a 65 because they want to tighten the standards. I feel third party grading is VERY political. Just my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeffnpcb

The grading struture is fine just the way it is at its current standings. With all the complaints of arm chair graders and feeling that a coin should be one grade or another, then get upset over one point is absurd! There has to be a reason for the graders decision. At this point, as I have stated before, there should be a code on the return copy to explain why the grader established the appointed grade or attribute. This constant harping on this 1 or 2 points off has got to stop and graders need to set a point on their grading technique so we don't end up with this constant bantering!

Maybe the group with the biggest complaints should start their own company! BWSS grading would be a good name!{Because we said so grading co.}

fcloud

There is no excuse for what is going on there right now.

I am sending a coin back for review a second time because of their error! They tried to fix it and made it worse.

Tony

wingedliberty

I submitt about a 100 coins to them a year, about 50% classic, 50% modern. Maybe my sample is not
large enough statistically for an accurate description of current circumstances, but the dealers I deal with are not complaining either.


Brian.

Bear

Grading companies are not som altruistic heavenly organization for the good of mankind.

They are a bussiness created with the intent to fill a need and to make money. In doing so,

the provide an essential service to the collector and the dealer. I for one am thankful for PCGS with

all of its faults ,both real and perceived faults. Since the creation of the company, collecting has

become safer and better in significant ways. What collectors need to do now is begin to use our

eyes and instincts to select the slabbed coins in the mid to top tier of the grade. Since we select

the coin ,since we have the money that buys the coin and since we are the ultimate end consumer

we have enormous influence and clout if we but use it.While companies can expand or contract

standards of grading, we have the ultimate power to select only that which meets our own standard

of excellence. Never underestimate the power of the indevidual collector. While most of us will

never ascend to the pantheon of recognized greatness in the hobby, we are where the money resides.

fcloud

PM sent.

Fairlaneman

I believe there is a totally different perception of PCGS when it comes to just Buying the product and Submitting the Product. Myself as a Buyer only have No Problem with PCGS as I try very hard to buy Top End coins and just pass on the others. From what I see here and hear from other sources maybe if I was a Submitter of coins my perception of PCGS would change.

Ken