PCGS vs NGC Commemoratives

Bunker

There was a thread posted not to long ago that stated ANACS was really hard on moderns. I also beleive that someone said that NGC was hard on Mercury dimes and the "FSB" designation.

How about early Commemoratives? Does anyone know if PCGS or NGC is harder on commems than the other?



Edited for spelling

XpipedreamR

In my limited experience, NGC is slightly easier on classic commems, especially if they have color.



But what do I know

shuckins

I sent three NGC's in for crossover,only two made it.

BillJones

IN GENERAL, PCGS has a slight edge when it comes to the classic commemorative coins. BUT that edge is so small that you can’t just say the following:

“There’s a PCGS graded commemorative! I’m going to buy it because PCGS commemoratives are ALWAYS better.”

That statement would be FLAT WRONG, and if you are a “bargain hunter” who thinks he can buy PQ coins at “bid,” especially in this market, you could be headed for trouble.

Like most things, you have to judge the coins on a case be case basis. You can’t make a blanket pronouncement and use brand loyalty as a guide to quality.

For example I currently have two Antietam Commemorative half dollars in stock, a PCGS graded coin and an NGC graded piece. Both are graded MS-66. I paid more and would charge more for the NGC coin because it is better. The dealers agree too because more of them have asked for quotes on the NGC coin.

commemguy

BillJones's advice is excellent. It is very much worth evaluating each coin for its individual qualities, regardless of holder. There are also many issues for which NGC populations in high grade are significantly lower than PCGS. NGC commems can sometimes be a great deal, as they frequently trade for a 20%-30% discount to their PCGS counterparts, but can be of comparable quality and are accurately graded.

tcmitssr

Classic commems are my principal interest. My view is that up to MS 65, PCGS and NGC are equal. In grades above MS 65, my experience (opinion) is that I would knock down an NGC MS 66 to a PCGS MS65 PQ or MS 65.5 and an NGC 67 or 68 to a full grade lower with PCGS.

My crossover experience with NGC classic commems, left in holders, over to PCGS in the past few years is over 90 percent. I've probably attempted crossing over a total somewhere in the twenties and all but two made it. Some knowledgible dealers have told me that is a very good record compared to the average. I attribute that to knowing classic commems pretty well and having a knack for finding the good ones. OTOH, I wouldn't give two cents for my ability to have the same record with any other type of coin.

Now, if I could only make a living grading classic commems!

I better keep my day job.

mrcommem

I have had very little problem crossing NGC classic commems to PCGS. I have crossed 15 to 20 coins and have had trouble with only one. I have had a Sesqui and a Vancouver crosses to higher grades. The Sesqui to MS64 and Vancouver to MS65.

FatMan

Neither PCGS or NGC are all that consistent with commems. Certainly market prices indicate a belief that PCGS is more conservative but I don't buy it. I've seen just as many overgraded coins in PCGS holders as I've seen in NGC holders. I do somewhat agree with tcmitssr that in the upper grades 66+ there may be up to a half point difference in the standard but I think that has to do with the fact that NGC will give the half point bump for nice appeal.