Is ICG going to become, or is it a reputable TPG service?

JustGotRipped

Just wondering....

Thanks Russ...I did mean ICG....

Russ

I assume you mean ICG? From what I've seen lately they do seem to be improving in their modern proof grading.

Russ, NCNE

lordmarcovan

ICG is the only game in town if you wanna slab ancient coins.

robertpr

They could be the best graders on the planet (and they do have Cameron!) but without a grade guarantee and population report they are dust in the wind.

Cameonut

ICG has a long way to go before they become a top tier TPG.

In my dealings with them, they have been fair, but not top notch.

Grades are a couple of points higher at ICG than PCGS/NGC on the coins I collect.

chabot510

<< <i>They could be the best graders on the planet (and they do have Cameron!) but without a grade guarantee and population report they are dust in the wind. >>



I agree with you

WTCG

<< <i>

<< <i>They could be the best graders on the planet (and they do have Cameron!) but without a grade guarantee and population report they are dust in the wind. >>



I agree with you >>



I believe ICG has a grade guarantee.

mercurynut

I have zero faith in their grading!

CarlWohlforth

ICG is already reputable with Ancients. I believe Cameron is a positive influence on their modern grading where I thought they were weak in the past.

JustGotRipped

Thanks....I happened upon their web site...so I figured I'd ask here.

RedTiger

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>They could be the best graders on the planet (and they do have Cameron!) but without a grade guarantee and population report they are dust in the wind. >>



I agree with you >>



I believe ICG has a grade guarantee. >>



They do have a guarantee, anyone have any first hand reports? In particular, have they paid less than greysheet because their coins generally command less money (especially wholesale)?

ICG would go a long way towards a better reputation with a population report. That information has to be on their books and I'm sure they have had many requests to make those numbers available. Their refusal to publish a pop report is a big negative.

As for the guarantee, from
http://www.icgcoin.com/guarantee.htm

ICG guarantees that all coins submitted to its grading service will be handled with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Any Customer may resubmit any coin for review of the grade assigned by ICG if such Customer believes that such coin has been overgraded by ICG. If the coin submitted for review by the Customer receives a lower grade under ICG’s internal review practices than the grade originally assigned, ICG shall, at ICG’s option, either (a) replace the coin, or (b) pay any difference between the current fair market value of such coin at the newly established grade and the current market value of the grade originally assigned to such coin.

The fair market value shall be determined solely by ICG. From time to time, ICG will receive certain Pedigree Coins, Important Rarities, large quantities of coins, bulk submissions, or coins where the identity of the owner has been well publicized or well known throughout the numismatic community. Although ICG may be able to assume the identity of such owners, ICG reserves the right to grade such coins under ICG’s standard practices.

This ICG Guarantee shall not apply to: (a) any clerical error with respect to the description or grade of the coin which would be reasonably noticed upon inspection; (b) any copper coins submitted due to their particular susceptibility to oxidation; (c) any coins subjected to improper storage conditions (such as extreme temperature or extreme conditions etc.) and (d) any coins not encapsulated by ICG.

DennisH

IMO the answers to your two-part question are no and no.

But as lordmarcovan points out, they are the only game in town for ancients... and I'm glad we have them.

stephunter

Icg and Anacs should merge to combine their resources.

mozin

The Capped Bust series coins I have seen in ICG holders look to be up to PCGS standards.

Robgetty

The biggest complaint I have with ICG is that MS70's and PR70's seem to be given out without proper regard.

JrGMan2004

<< <i>The Capped Bust series coins I have seen in ICG holders look to be up to PCGS standards. >>

Which isn't saying much, as PCGS standards aren't up to the standards of most Bust Coin Collectors

I believe ICG can create, and has somewhat created, a niche for themselves in circulated coins, and early type coins... like lordminivan said, only game in town for ancients... Moderns and UNC Semi-Moderns definately hasn't seemed to be their forte, and they would have a ton of work to do to improve their reputation in that regard... I believe their energy would be better spent building a niche in a different area...

ebaytrader

Something to consider:

While PCGS and NGC dominate the dealer to dealer FACTS network, ICG coins are traded daily with many bids/asks listed. I do not recall seeing any generic date ANACS slabs listed - ever.

Craton

I don't know but I do know that they lost something special when James Taylor left camp.

ziggy29

Other than very high-graded coins, mostly moderns, I think ICG is fine...though I'd be wary of anything graded 65+. They seem fine on low MS and circulated coins to me.

INXS

<< <i>I don't know but I do know that they lost something special when James Taylor left camp. >>



I agree. I had spoke with James a year ago and he said that a pop report was in the works. I havent seen one so I am guessing that that may have been his idea and has since been scrapped.

WANNABEDEALER

that is funny, the pop report was in the works in 2000 as well. they blew their chance to be one of the elite grading services when they started rubberstamping ms70 and pr70 silver and gold eagles for TV, one coin they had on the screen had a big wack in the skirt and it was in a 70 holder.

Julian

They have professionals grading the coins and blind submissions, as well.

As far as I am concerned, their opinion is as valid as PCGS, NGC, & ANACS.

I would not buy any coin sight unseen, unless the condition was not a critical factor.