PCGS VS ANACS

Coin Finder

I bought this coin and cracked it out to see the grading of both parties on this coin. This is the exact same coin.

I think this says something about the grading standards at PCGS, they are very conservative. This is why they are the market leader.

Thoughts?

Tbig

jdimmick

Tbig,

I cant get the ist photo to come up?

pmh1nic

I've had good experience with ANACS but I think they grossly overgraded this coin and the PCGS grade is correct (IMHO)

mdwoods

I agree completely with pmh1nic.

jdimmick

After seeing the obverse pic, definitley have to agree with the PCGS assessment!

BigD5

The quarter looks to be a ch. vf example from my vantage point, but that's from the scan.
What do YOU feel the proper grade of the coin is?
Anacs does a decent job, but they, like all the services have grading hiccups. They do seem to have more hiccups than pcgs and ngc though.

I don't buy the "market leader" comments in relation to "conservative" grading. Marketing plays a HUGE role in that perceived "market leader" opinion. PCGS markets their product very well, and it has paid off for them. They make boo-boo's just like everyone else.

Coin Finder

Good comments guys thanks! It is hard to see from the scan.

I think this coin is a vf 30 only because in my hand it has a fair amount of luster mostly on the reverse. I think ANAcs pushed a little to hard and PCGS laid back a little.

Even with that said, there seems to be small differences between both grading parties.


Great comments all!

FanOfModerns

More proof that you should only trust PCGS coins!

EVillageProwler

I, too, think that ANACS was too loose with that coin. VF, or slightly better, seems right to me. But, without coin in hand, I can't really tell if it's the strike or wear that is causing me to disagree with an EF grade.

I don't buy the "market leader" comments in relation to "conservative" grading. Marketing plays a HUGE role in that perceived "market leader" opinion. PCGS markets their product very well, and it has paid off for them. They make boo-boo's just like everyone else.

Agreed. In strict technical terms, "conservative" is a negative term because we want grading to be neither too loose or too tight. If we took a poll and asked which of the three choices would we prefer -- too loose, too tight, dead on -- I'm sure we'd all prefer dead on.

As for the ANACS themselves, they don't pay their graders nearly as well as PCGS (and NGC) pay their graders. If you accept the axiom that talent goes where the money is, then you'd expect that PCGS graders will, on average, perform better than their ANACS colleagues.

More proof that you should only trust PCGS coins!

I know I shouldn't bite, but what exactly is a "PCGS coin"??? Has anyone told HRH that PCGS is not allowed to mint "coins" without the COPY somewhere on the coin?

EVP

Cam40

I think ANACS had market graded the coin thus the higher than normal grade for the piece.
PCGS doesnt seem to be all that thrilled with it and mostly technically graded it.
Therefore I dont think there is a solid grade for it.
Personally I think its in the 25-30 point range but thats just from looking at a scan.
Who knows.

BillJones

Yes, I can't buy the "market leader" comments either. I've seen a boatload of circulated key date coins in PCGS holders that were grossly overgraded. The same goes for NGC. Generally ALL of the grading services have lowered the standards for circulated coins, especially key date coins where the overgrading can have a significant effect on the value of the piece. It's one of the reason why the Gray Steet prices for circulated key date coins seem low when you read them. When you see the coins you get of the money, you know why.

BTW Yes ANACS did overgrade the coin, but even in the PCGS holder it's no great prize. The coin has been cleaned, and if it were an early copper piece with same work done to it, it would have more than likely come home in a body bag.

darktone

Here's a link to another ANACS coin that went the other direction LINK when sent to PCGS. mike

IrishMike

Well you asked for any thoughts. My question to you is by looking at one coin you make a blanket statement that PCGS grades stricter. With that logic if someone posts a coin that is upgraded from a previous ANACS holder, what does that say? This arguement reminds me of the crossover game. One poster shows 0 crosses from NGC to PCGS and another one shows 8 for 8. The conclusion on this board then is that PCGS grades tougher, ignoring the fact that someone else went 8 for 8.

It would be nice if we could get past this coin jingoism and realize that good solid coin will most likely cross given enough attempts and depending on the current politics of grading. Haven't experienced collectors realized that grading companies are seperate entities and established their own grading guidelines. One favors luster, another color, another strike, etc. etc.

Learn what each grading company looks for in a grade and then submit it accordingly, for example if you have a common date but colorful Washington and want to maxmize its grade for resale send it to NGC. If you have a mercury struck up nice but not quite a full band at NGC but send it to PCGS, might make it. Ditto on Frankies, if you have full lower bell lines but not upper send it to PCGS.

If you don't care to have it slabbed, just enjoy the coin.

roadrunner

And don't forget that one time for one coin is meaningless. Send that coin back to each service 10 times then come back with the meaningful results. Better yet, do it 100 times. That will speak volumes. Anything else is fluff. And don't forget to return the old tags too.

roadrunner