In anyones opinion on the major grading services...

cascade

Who is least likley to send my coins back to me with fingerprints? I'm getting ready to send in some of my keepers, most of them being proofs, & I would be heartbroken if any came back with fingerprints. So I'm hoping to draw on everyones experience to help me choice the best "fingerprintless" service. I know I've read some complaints about about the "mothership" & this problem.

Thanks!

-Sam

nwcs

Most of the people I've talked with seem to think that the graders are not the problem. It's most likely the people who seal the coins up. That said, and if it is true, then it is a crap shoot with any company that doesn't have procedures set up to eliminate the possibility. So far as I know, no company has specifically stated a way to prevent it and to guarantee against it.

littlewicher

I've received two coins in the past with fingerprints on them that weren't there when sent in. I also have a fingerprinted SAE that's in my collection right now that has a greasy fingerprint on it. I talked to the person who I bought it from and he said that it wasn't there when he sent it in.

I don't think I've ever heard of someone receiving a fingerprinted coin from NGC, however.

Based on these experiences, you can decide for yourself.



*This post was in no way meant to defame PCGS or any of its employees, just telling personal experiences.

cascade

& I suppose there is no recourse I can take if this where to happen..

littlewicher

Once you get a fingerprinted coin you have to send it back to PCGS for a month until they get around to dipping it. Of course that's only when you can even convince PCGS in the first place that it was their fault. (Sometimes they try to say that the coin already was fingerprinted, and blah blah blah.)

ksteelheader

littlewicher, couldn't there be some possibility that the fingerprint was there before it got to the grading service? After all, most fingerprints are not easily seen without dusting. I have some raw coins with fingerprints that did NOT have them when I bought them......Ken

braddick

This is not an endorsement, and it's funny you should ask, but out of the dozens of coins I've sent to PCI never has one been returned worse then it went in.
Same can be said for SEGS.

merz2

cascade
I had a recent experience with PCGS.I sent the coin back to them,marked attention David Hall.He has been looking into this problem.I should know something next week.