PCGS vs. NGC coin value

jafox

Hey everyone-

Being somewhat new to the collection of high quality of coins, I knew PCGS was the top firm out here that you could trust the grade, and then take a dollar value away from that. After doing research though, I though NGC was considered to be the only other "top tier" as far as relying on their grades. Through most of the boards and other material i have read, I know you would prefer to have PCGS, but NGC was a close 2nd. Brien brought up the point that prices for NGC are different. So how are they regarded. Are they right behind PCGS, and depending on that answer, how do you make allowances for the difference. Do you just need to consider an NGC coin differently, and then what about the next step down, say to ICG. I would not go any further, but what kind of mindset do you take, or use when looking at NGC coins. I own a few expensive NGC's so I would appreciate the help. Also, does the grey sheet make any deviations when it comes to different grading companies? Thanks in advance, John

construct

Frankly, I like to look at the coin. I have bought a few PCGS and NGC coins on Ebay where the pictures were so blurry that it was like sight-unseen. I always got killer deals (because others were afraid to bid?), and I was lucky in that the coins were nice for the grade with both companies. I also look at ANACS coins.

Steve27

IMO PCGS is more conservative than NGC; although not necessarily correct. Thus, PCGS slabbed coins tend to go for more money than NGC slabbed coins. However, it's always important to buy the coin and not the slab (i.e. you can still find great coins in NGC slabs and dogs in PCGS slabs).

dorkkarl

the old "pcgs brings more $ than any other plastic" has become tiresome, worn out marketing slogan. i just don't think many people fall for that any more. if a pcgs-65 brings the same $ as a ngc-66 for the exact same coin, who cares?

K S

jdimmick

I think steve's comment about buying the coin, not the holder is dead on. (not counting the off services). But I like PCGS coins personally, but like others, have seen some dogs and overgraded coins in thier holders as well. Although, PCGS IMO is more consistent and conservative in the majority of the coins that I buy. (key-dates). I have a few copper pieces in my collection, and I like having the copper guarantee that they give. Until recently, they were the only service that guaranteed copper. Also, Some call me odd, but I like having all my personal collection in the same service holders which happens to be (PCGS).

In fact, I bought my first NON-PCGS coin for my collection in over a year at the Baltimore ANA show, it was truly nice and wonderfully original. It was graded by NGC, but would cross over at the same grade easily. I will probably just wait till my renewal membership and break it out and send it in as one of the 4 free submissions.

Back to your original question, PCGS coins on average, especially key-dates, will bring far stronger money than the same coin holdered by NGC or others. Its really strange, a lot of it has to do with the consistency, conservative grading, and perception. There are many people who will only bid if its PCGS material. PCGS coins usually get pushed higher in price than thier counterparts. JP the mint (Jay Parrino) is a perfect example on E-bay . Look at his bidding, he nevers bids on any coins but PCGS, and when it comes to key-dates, he is a very strong buyer and pays super strong money.

On E-bay, I have had an example or two really suffer to bring a decent price with little or no intrest in say an NGC coin, then send to PCGS come back the same grade, then it sells like wildfire. (same coin though, must be perception).

One time, I listed an ANACS 1895-o dime in Vg-10 (was a lowerer end fine) didnt even bring 250.00, so I sent it to PCGS where it came back F-12, relisted and it sold for 535.00 (same coin). ???

291fifth

PCGS coins generally have the greatest marketability. NGC coins don't have bad marketability but are behind PCGS. If you are looking for value for the money ANACS may be the way to go. They are the most underrated of the grading services. There are many, many nice coins in their holders.

In all cases you have to buy the coin and not the holder. Several of the nicest coins in my collection are in PCGS holders. Some of the worst coins are also in PCGS holders.

sinin1

if you have access to a bluesheet, there are some instances where NGC coins command a higher price than PCGS -> some Mercury and Buffalo in MS67



It really comes down to grading scale and standard (with alot of consistency as well) -> PCGS grades tighter, (lower), than anyone else so their 65 is someone elses 66 or 67 or 68....

Fairlaneman

I'll speak for the differences and values that have been seen in the Merc Dime series. Generally PCGS is much tighter with the grades they give this series. Most of the time I would say a PCGS 65 coin is a good shot at being a NGC 66 coin. When buying a NGC coin I usually like to see the coin in person just because the standard for the way I grade is closer to the PCGS standard instead of the NGC standard. Notice I used Standard with both companies. Folks think that all standards from the grading services are the same. Not True. If these standards were the same then I believe prices would be the same and the discussions about My Coin not getting the correct grade, PCGS vs NGC or NGC vs PCGS, would basically disappear also.

On the prices paid for a Merc I really do not care if it is in a PCGS or NGC slab as long as the coin meets the standard I have. I will admit more dickering is done on NGC coins to get a lower buy price just because of the perceived lower market value. Heck I dicker on the PCGS coins also. Just because a sheet says a PCGS coin is worth more money does not always mean this is so.

Sure hope this rambling made a little sense for you.

Ken

jonesy

I sent a NGC 1938D/D MS66 Buffalo to PCGS. It came back a PCGS MS64!!

IrishMike

dorkkarl, I agree with you. Unless you building a PCGS Registry set, then the holder makes little difference. Even though I own more coins in PCGS holders, the coins I have purchase in NGC are the nicest ones I own and I had to pay strong money for them. However, I was able to purchase them at lower prices then comparable PGCS graded coins. If and when I decide to sell I will have less money in them and they are still out standing coins. One of the major mistakes many buyers make is to ignore great coins because they aren't in a certain holder. There are more than a few dealers out there and in here that basically only buy and sell PCGS graded coins. They pay more for them but they can mark them up a lot higher than other holders. They aren't stupid they have found a market that allows them to make more on their investment with not as much attention to the coin itself as to the holder it is in. Of course they are always PQ for the grade.

In the final analysis for me I still prefer raw coins, but then hey I have been buying them since the 50's, hard to change old habits.

RKKay

First off, welcome to the boards.

I agree that you buy the coin, not the holder. With patterns, some people feel strongly that it must be in a PCGS holder, and they won't pay as much for NGC slabbed coins. The Greysheet subscribes to this position. However, both PCGS and NGC slabbed patterns come undergraded and overgraded. I've had patterns that have been in NGC slabs that have crossed to PCGS and upgraded. With Rick Montgomery now at NGC, a lot of the softness has gone away. I now have come to the conclusion that the slab does not matter, unless you are selling to an NGCophobe. Perhaps it's time for the Greysheet to stop perpetating the price dichotomy. The best thing to do is learn to grade to the best of your abilities (attend a few ANA grading seminars) and buy the coin, not the slab.

dorkkarl

bear in mind that, in my worthless opinion, only a fool would buy coins sight-unseen, which is what the bluesheet is for.

so for me, the fact that a foolhardy reference, like the blue-sheet, that shows a discrepancy in coin values based on the plastic, it's further proof that the theory that "pcgs coins bring more money" is bogus, unless your dealing w/ fools.

K S

Fairlaneman

dorkkarl

OK.....I'm a Fool. As discussed before some people are not in the areas where coins are readily available. For myself to Fly or Drive antwhere from 1200miles, Southern Calif, to 3000 miles, East Coast seems Fool Hardy to me.

Needless to say on this one......I Dis-Agree with you.

Ken

PS: Hasn't this been hashed over. I believe this is the Reason for Return Policies.

dizzlecc

I started out preferring pcgs and still give them the edge when decided which one of two.

I have noticed, here in houston, that a few dealers prefer the ngc holders. Something about the background adding to the eye appeal of the coin.

Listen to the old addage, buy the coin and not the holder. The best explaination to support this reasoning that I have heard is that grading habits change from time to time and you can not predict the future.

dorkkarl

<< <i>dorkkarl OK.....I'm a Fool. As discussed before some people are not in the areas where coins are readily available. For myself to Fly or Drive antwhere from 1200miles, Southern Calif, to 3000 miles, East Coast seems Fool Hardy to me.... I believe this is the Reason for Return Policies >>

hey fairlaneman, i've said it so many times that i usually don't even bother to mention any more, but if you get a valid return policy, that qualifies as sight-seen.

thanks for the clarification

K S