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Grading by PCI

martifmartif Posts: 48
in U.S. Coin Forum
I know that PCI doesn't get a very good rap among collectors, but I am interested in your opinions. I think that PCI does a pretty good job. They have been around for fifteen years now and I would think that they would have gone bye-bye by now if they were so consistanly wrong in their grading. I have sent some coins to them and I believe that they are very accurate.

I wouldn't send them a coin of great value for grading simply because I don't think anyone would pay a high price for the coin on resale because they might not trust their grading. I would use PCGS or NGC for that, but for average coins under $1000 I think that they are fine.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

  • coldciclecoldcicle Posts: 137
    I like to buy PCI coins at rip prices then croose them over to make profitimage
  • martifmartif Posts: 48
    What does that mean, buy at rip prices and cross them over?
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some of the third tier grading companys are supported by dishonest coin dealers who prey on new collecters. The old PCI holders with the green labells were usually very conservatively graded and will frequently upgrade at PCGS or NGC.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,275 ✭✭✭
    Since they changed hands I don't trust their grading, but the old green holder coins are correctly graded:



    image
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • martifmartif Posts: 48
    I know what you mean, but I think that PCI is good. That company, PCC, is a joke. Everything they touch is either MS 69 or 70 as well as PR 69 or 70. Another one is Gallery Coins grading. They definitely prey on the new collector. I think that PCI does a good job because they aren't trying to sell you anything whereas PCC and Gallery deal directly with dealers to just grade coins too high for resale.
  • TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,066 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Since they changed hands I don't trust their grading, but the old green holder coins are correctly graded:



    image >>



    As long as they are the 10 or 14 digit serial number holders, the nine digit green holders have questionable grading.......

    TorinoCobra71

    image
  • goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    there was a thread around here from a couple of years ago about PCI holdering a Fake 1856 Flying Eagle.

    I cannot find it right now though.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I think that PCI does a pretty good job. >>



    image



    << <i>there was a thread around here from a couple of years ago about PCI holdering a Fake 1856 Flying Eagle.

    I cannot find it right now though. >>



    Thread got toasted last time they did database cleanup.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    darn, that was a good one too. Remember that the alleged owner of PCI had even posted to it!??

  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Here's an interesting thread:

    In recent months PCI has holdered as authentic two altered Gallery Mint 1793 Liberty cap large cents as genuine.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • orieorie Posts: 998 ✭
    I've sent a few PCI slabs to PCGS to cross at any grade and have no complaints.
    Cool set...poor pics
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What are your thoughts?

    My single thought is that you have lost your mind.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • HedgerHedger Posts: 1,238
    Now we know why PCI is the dealer's friend. PCI (Problem Coins Incorporated)
  • coldciclecoldcicle Posts: 137


    << <i>What does that mean, buy at rip prices and cross them over? >>



    It means buying them at forced labor prices then cracking them out and sending to a good grading serviceimage
  • PeacemanPeaceman Posts: 5,098
    My 1922 VAM 5B LDS is in a PCI holder graded @4. I think she'll cross to ANACS without a problem (May even 5). Depends on the coin/series I guess.
    image
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Depends on the coin/series I guess. >>



    PCI gold label sucks across every series. But, even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • ealandgealandg Posts: 705
    My opinion is that PCI sucks. What I see coming from them lately is overgraded and they are not as "on it" about damage as they once were...
  • PeacemanPeaceman Posts: 5,098
    Yea, mine's a gold label. It's a crap shoot if you buy sight unseen. I think I just got lucky...
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295 ✭


    << <i>I know that PCI doesn't get a very good rap among collectors, but I am interested in your opinions. I think that PCI does a pretty good job. They have been around for fifteen years now and I would think that they would have gone bye-bye by now if they were so consistanly wrong in their grading. I have sent some coins to them and I believe that they are very accurate. >>



    They would be bye-bye if it wasn't for eBay and a number of large eBay sellers who get their junk graded by them.

    As been mentioned previously, PCI was sold a couple of years ago and since then their grading of coins is atrocious. I wouldn't buy any gold label PCI coin sight unseen.
  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,377 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I can deal with the grade issue.
    I'm worried they will miss the authenticity or some other problem.
    This is one PCI I trust.image
    image
    Larry

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Idhair---Those old photo slabs are neat!!! You hardly see them anymore.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295 ✭
    image
  • martifmartif Posts: 48
    I just got back 2 - 1953 pennies graded by PCI at MS66 Red (Gold Holder). I'll do an experiment. I will crack them open and send those 2 same pennies to PCGS for grading. It will be an expensive test for me, but now I have got to know how they grade next to the mosdt respected grader, PCGS. I will get them out on Monday to PCGS. Ifyou guys like, I will post a new thread when I get them back and tell you the results.

    BTW, can anyone tell me how to safely crack open one of these holders?
  • coldciclecoldcicle Posts: 137
    Vice
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    Bolt cutters.
    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • KurtHornKurtHorn Posts: 1,382 ✭
    Hammer the edges all the way around. It'll open like a clam. I agree with Eric, Gold Labels shouldn't be bought sight unseen. I sometimes buy them at money that reflects 2 or 3 grading points back, then crack them and send them to one of the big three. I did really well with some Seated Half Dimes. A couple came back 2 points lower (64 to 62) and a couple were only 1 point lower (63 to 62 and a 65 to 64!) Since I bought them all at 60 money I am happy.
    "Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
    NoEbayAuctionsForNow
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Resale on PCI Bust Halves stinks.image
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777 ✭
    image
    image

    I've found a few gems in old holders for reasonable money. You can also sometimes find nice quality cameo franklins in old green holders for cheap...... image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
  • vega1vega1 Posts: 941 ✭
    Use the search function to find many threads about all the grading companies. I personally would not trust a PCI coin either in terms of grade or authenticity. Which leaves....... treating it as raw.

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