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Too Many Grading Companies for a Newby

yznx3eyznx3e Posts: 85 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Found some nice coins on ebay that seem priced right (remember my $400 shopping spree) but what is the deal with all these different grading companies? The companies I am wondering about are SEGS, GEC, NAGC, USCG. Can I trust a ms67 by these companies on an 1895 coin?

Comments

  • AurumMinerAurumMiner Posts: 131
    In a word.....NO!
  • 123cents123cents Posts: 7,178 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Found some nice coins on ebay that seem priced right (remember my $400 shopping spree) but what is the deal with all these different grading companies? The companies I am wondering about are SEGS, GEC, NAGC, USCG. Can I trust a ms67 by these companies on an 1895 coin? >>



    One word....NO!!!
    image
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,553 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I suggest you use the "Search" function and search for text "third world" in title or body, and then read the threads that result from the search.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • SilverEagles92SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭
    NO!

    Stick to NGC and PCGS for anything remotely expensive. ANACS is also good for this stuff.

    And if you know what you're getting into, you can buy ICG. ONLY BUY FROM THOSE 4 COMPANIES! NO OTHERS!
    Especially this early in your collecting adventure.
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,141 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Found some nice coins on ebay that seem priced right (remember my $400 shopping spree) but what is the deal with all these different grading companies? The companies I am wondering about are SEGS, GEC, NAGC, USCG. Can I trust a ms67 by these companies on an 1895 coin? >>



    2 words....absolutely not.

    stick with PCGS, NGC for 1st tier
    ANACS, ICG...2d tier.....
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,251 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In the beginning, if it's not in PCGS, NGC or ANACS stay far away from it. You'll develop the skills you need to be able to sort through the myriad of crap slab companies in time.
  • yznx3eyznx3e Posts: 85 ✭✭
    one word- THANKS!
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wouldn't recommend buying any coin on blind faith, no matter what brand of plastic it is in. Learn and read before you buy, even with the top TPGs. There are fewer issues with the top TPGs but they exist.
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    pcgs, ngc, anacs.. please stick with those 3 for now.
  • ModernCrapNutModernCrapNut Posts: 2,086 ✭
    I would suggest limit yourself for your slabbed coin purchases to PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and IGC until you are better able to judge for yourself the condition of the coin. Even among these top four, their can be inconsistencies within a grade, so whenever possible take a good look at the coin itself, and not just the label..


    image
  • yznx3eyznx3e Posts: 85 ✭✭
    Absolutely amazing is the help I have gotten on this forum. There may be a lot of characters on this site but there is also a lot of character. Thanks for protecting the newby.
  • dan8402dan8402 Posts: 2,163


    << <i>Absolutely amazing is the help I have gotten on this forum. There may be a lot of characters on this site but there is also a lot of character. Thanks for protecting the newby. >>



    Thanks for not buying $1000 worth of NTC, NNC, PCGC, WTC, etc slabs and then asking for advice.
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,109 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The only grading companies worth a damn are the "big 4" -- PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG, athough ICG is questionable for high grade moderns and MS66 and higher classics.

    Any coin in other holders should be considered raw, and should be carefully evaluated for problems (cleaning, scratches, hairlines, whizzing, etc.)
    *For Sale on Numismy* *For Sale on Ebay*
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Any coin in other holders should be considered raw, and should be carefully evaluated for problems (cleaning, scratches, hairlines, whizzing, etc.) >>

    Depending on the series you are interested in, you may want to carefully evaluate coins in all brands of holders. For the common stuff, you should be safe in the Big Four.
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • TinyTiny Posts: 2,598
    Five words.

    Not NO but Hell NO!!

    SEGS big joke, GEC all most as big a joke. But the one I like is SGS now those two guys are really strange.
    I like them sellers that use those Coin World holders and say it's a third grading party. I'd like to be at one
    of those parties cause they are smoking some real good stuff.
  • CoastGuardCoastGuard Posts: 159
    You can learn more about how to grade by getting reference material from the ANA. I would only buy from the big four mentioned PCGS, ICG, ANACS, & NGC. I have broken that rule one time for a PCI coin of the Bust series graded Very Fine. I showed it to some experienced graders I know at the coin show who agreed with the PCI grade like I did. I still have not cracked it out because I like having the variety of this nature. My point is I did not by it off the internet relying on pictures. Get those oddballs at the coin show where you can get advice about it from several experts. I would do that same thing with a SEGS coin. But we are talking about very few and far between for something you really like or need and don't plan on reselling.
    Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory. -Gandhi
  • jmj3esqjmj3esq Posts: 5,421 ✭
    Step back and hold your $400. If you are going to spend that cash on ebay ONLY buy PCGS or NGC and maybe ANACS graded coins.
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There aren't too many grading companies for a newby (or others) at all. Unless 2 1/2 are too many image

    Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,885 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Too Many Grading Companies for a Newby >>

    It's not that hard to figure out. There are only TWO top-tier services: PCGS and NGC.

    In the second tier, you've got ICG and ANACS.

    Past that, fuhgeddaboutit, mostly.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,885 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I am wondering about are SEGS, GEC, NAGC, USCG >>



    USCG? I didn't realize the Coast Guard was grading coins now!

    I would trust their water rescue skills, but for coin grading? Fuhgeddaboutit. image

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • sonoranmonsoonsonoranmonsoon Posts: 2,078 ✭✭
    You only have to remember 2 or 3 companies. PCGS, NGC, and ANACS as a distant 3rd. Do not even waste your memory cells or money on any other companies.
  • vega1vega1 Posts: 941 ✭
    Yeah, what everyone else said.... although I would go with the "only 3" answer - PCGS, NGC, and ANACS.

    I would also like to echo the congratulations on asking for advice before purchasing, good move.image
  • jobiwan115jobiwan115 Posts: 769


    << <i>You only have to remember 2 or 3 companies. PCGS, NGC, and ANACS as a distant 3rd. Do not even waste your memory cells or money on any other companies. >>



    My experiences confirm this opinion.
    Exclusively collecting Capped Bust Halves in VF to AU, especially rarity 3 and up.
    image
    Joe G.
    Great BST purchases completed with commoncents123, p8nt, blu62vette and Stuart. Great coin swaps completed with rah1959, eyoung429 and Zug. Top-notch consignment experience with Russ.
  • DoogyDoogy Posts: 4,508 ✭
    this should make it easier for you:

    US Coins: PCGS and NGC. ANACS and ICG does a pretty good job here, but not as good as the first two
    World Coins: NGC grades the most world coins by a big margin, followed by PCGS
    Ancients: ICG seems to be the expert here
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Ancients: ICG seems to be the expert here >>

    Probably for medievals as well, if they are considered separate from ancients.
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • DoogyDoogy Posts: 4,508 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Ancients: ICG seems to be the expert here >>

    Probably for medievals as well, if they are considered separate from ancients. >>




    very good point, i concur with that. thanks

    Doug
  • ShortgapbobShortgapbob Posts: 2,332 ✭✭✭
    Something I think would be a great investment with at least some of the $400 would be to purchase some numismatic literature. I have heard many times "buy the book before you buy the coin," and wish that I would have followed it more closely in my beginning collecting days.

    As for grading companies, I would stick with PCGS and NGC until you gain a little more experience. Then you could start buying ICG and ANACS coins.
    "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." -- Aristotle

    For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.

    The Reeded Edge

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