Does PCGS do "pre-screening" at coin shows?

BigBen

Just wondering because I'm new to the certification process aside from the 2 coins I had certified at ANACS recently. Specifically, are there graders at the show who will tell you whether or not something would go 66 or 67 for instance?

Russ

I believe they do offer opinions. That opinion is frequently different than the final grade results, though.

Russ, NCNE

goose3

I have never seen anyone at a PCGS table giving free verbals. I believe David Hall has posted here once or twice that HE would be at such and such show and would give opinions for a while.

MadMarty

Just pony up the bucks, send them in, roll the dice... Don't be a wuss!!!

ColonialCoinUnion

<< <i>I have never seen anyone at a PCGS table giving free verbals. I believe David Hall has posted here once or twice that HE would be at such and such show and would give opinions for a while. >>



I think that is what Russ was referring to. In my experience, David Hall will offer a casual opinion, but he will leave the grading to the graders.

RYK

They generally do not offer opinions. On occasion, David Hall will give opinions for a scheduled hour or so at a major show. He did at the Pittsburgh ANA show, and I met him there.

Steve27

The only pre-screening PCGS does, is to check to see if you can afford their services. ANACS is the only TPG giving free grade estimates prior to submission.

RYK

ANACS is the only TPG giving free grade estimates prior to submission.

The "New ANACS" no longer offers free grading opinions. Frankly, I always thought that was a money maker for ANACS at our local shows. I would show them a few raw coins, they would give me their grading opinions, and throw out remarks like "that's a $100 coin, it should be graded," and the next thing I new, I had all of my pockets emptied and a ten coin submission.

Edit: I have received free grading opinions from David Lange at the NGC booth, and he has always been right on.

BlindedByEgo

At Long Beach, PCGS had a couple of hours of grading opinions at their booth. I was able to spend smoe time with David Hall - a heck of a nice guy, BTW - and he gave me smoe opinions. The graders did the same.

I think that it would be opposite of smart for them to "pre-screen" in general at the shows, though. Why cut into their revenue by possibly dissuading a collector from submitting?

goose3

<< <i>Edit: I have received free grading opinions from David Lange at the NGC booth, and he has always been right on. >>



I got the same opinion 2x from him on a certain coin so I finally opened my wallet after hearing his remarks the second time....

the coin didn't cross.

Edited to add...RYK will you submit this coin for me?

RYK

Edited to add...RYK will you submit this coin for me?

Nah, I generally suck at grading and/or have bad luck with submissions. When he was right on, it was not to my benefit (ie. one coin did not cross!).