NGC to PCGS -- Some minor results for the curious

Clankeye

I know people are sometimes interested in the subject of crossovers, or the difference in grading in the two services. I started this thread a month or two ago with my thoughts on crossovers:

Thoughts on Crossovers

At any rate, I recently decided to take three coins from the series I know best (Carver commemoratives) and see
if they would make the same grade at PCGS. All coins graded NGC 65.

I chose to crack them out and submit them raw.

All coins came back PCGS 65.

The question is, would they have crossed if I had kept them in the NGC holders and sent them in? We'll never know. But, I think this small, small sampling should give heart to the people who would like to think there is some consistency in grading. It should also give pause to those people who automatically dismiss NGC coins as being graded more liberally than PCGS.

Clankeye

dbldie55

I just received a grade on the last NGC coin I sent in to cross. Crossed at the same grade.

I did have one DNC, and when I sent it in raw, it came back the same grade.

Every NGC coin I had now resides in a PCGS holder at the same grade.

coinguy1

I think I'm hearing lots of holders being broken open (crack, crack, split).

On a more serious note - Clankeye, what were your thoughts/opinions on those three coins? Were they high-end examples? Mid-range?

What were your expectations when you sent them in for grading? Why did you decide to crack them out, rather than using PCGS' cross-over service? Do you think you would have had similar results if the coins has been graded higher and/or more valuable?

braddick

As a follow up to Mark's question, I'd be interested what the value difference is between the three in and then out of their NGC holders, into PCGS holders.

Clankeye

<< <i>Do you think you would have had similar results if the coins has been graded higher and/or more valuable? >>



That I honestly can't speak to, except to say my willingness to crack them out and send them in raw would diminish in direct porportion to the value of the coin.

These three coins were very solid for the grade. They were 65's in anybodies holders IMO, and part of the reason I chose them to send in was I wanted to know if PCGS was grading these coins tighter than NGC. In the market for those particular coins, NGC coins trade at a discount to PCGS at the same grade (I want to add usually, here) The exception being if the coin is a standout color coin.

I just felt like seeing for myself what the result would be with coins that I felt were correctly graded by NGC. I was not looking for upgrades. If any had upgraded I would have thought something was wrong there.

I am in no way advocating cracking out NGC coins. For me, it was just a little experiment, that I was willing to do because the price of the coins involved was affordable.

As to whether they would have made the grade as straight crossovers--in my original thread, Coinguy, I state that I believe due to the "human factor" any coin coming into PCGS in another company's holder has a disadvantage and much to overcome. They almost have to be that one bump better than the actual grade. Now, that is just an opinion, and one that other people might have proved wrong in their experience.

Clankeye

Clankeye

Braddick--

That's a total gray area. Depends. If I were doing this with the idea of profit it wouldn't be worth it at all.

Maybe $100 to $200--with these coins, depending on who it is out there at any given time that is interested.

And I will make the caveat, that in the Carver series, I usually see PCGS trading at higher premiums--but not always... not always. It mirrors a lot of other series and the coin market in general.

Clankeye

MadMonk

Clankeye,
I'm curious on your selection of the three NGC -65's. Did you pick the three at random, or did you try to pick 3 that you were confident would cross?

Clankeye

<< <i>or did you try to pick 3 that you were confident would cross? >>



MM--I picked three that I felt absolutely should have crossed.

But, that doesn't mean I was "confident" they would.

It's a wacky world out there.


One incidental note: this was a PDS set, and I thought it would be nice to have the coins in conseq #'ed holders. (Dorkkarl is gripping his legs about now, spitting at the computer) I had to re-up on my Collectors club membership so I just used the coins on my free submissions. Otherwise, I doubt I would have even done the "experiment."


Clankeye

MadMonk

I asked the question because it should increase all of our confidence with grading as we tally up our successes.

I'm happy that you succeeded. That's 100%!

Clankeye

<< <i>I'm happy that you succeeded. That's 100%! >>



Well, I like to see consistency between the grading companies. I really do.

Clankeye

MadMonk

I realize that. It's a shame, but I guess it becomes our challenge to seek out who we want to use to get the desired results, and ask ourselves what our desired results are. Highest grade we can get, a good solid grade, a market acceptable grade, etc. I'm a pretty tough grader, so most of my collection wound up being PCGS because at the time I was buying heavily, the coins I was able to view personally, were just more solid. Coincidence or reality, it's really hard to say. I do believe that the major players have been trying to get closer to each other though.

Kriek

Interesting