An interesting sign by the cash-register in the local shop and a comment on the current TPG grading

keets

Here's the quote fro the sign by the cash-register in my local shop, I was surprised to see it but not surprised by the message:

"Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of High Intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives."

Now, for the comment on the current grading environment-----It seems prudent to give some thought to where I send my coins for grading. Much of that thinking depends on exactly what I'll be doing with the coins, holding them in my current collection long term or selling them. The "hold" coins tend to go to PCGS and the "sell" coins tend to go to NGC, a decision based on the High Intelligent direction those two services have given us in the past year or so. One of the two alternatives seems intent on flooding the market with oppurtunity and I find that troubling yet difficult to ignore. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching my Mom's soap opera, As The World Turns!!!!!

Fortunately, I've been around the block enough times to realize that it'll keep turning.

Al H.

JCMhouston

"a decision based on the High Intelligent direction those two services have given us in the past year or so."

I'm interested in learning more about this. I'm relatively new back in to serious collecting, and I am seriously trying to figure out the TPG's. I have seen a lot of high grade "Stuff" from the other guys which does bother me, but conversly I've seen similar from our hosts here. For example, if you want to build a PF69dcam set of Ikes it seems to be a lot easier going with PCGS, the ratio of PCGS to NGC seems to be on the order of 5 or 10:1. It can't have anything to do with price being higher for PCGS because the coins are so cheap and readily available. My PF69DCAM set of Ikes is 100% PCGS, you could build the same set in PCGS in a week on ebay, probably not in the other guys holder though.

Looking at my set of early Commems they seem to be split about 50:50, but when I look at my set of 20th C. proofs about 90% of the coins after 1964 are PCGS. I didn't buy them because they were worth more, just about the opposite, they are so widely available in PCGS holders and tough to find in the other guys holders that it made sense. In the 20th C. Proof set pre 64 they are about equally split again.

FatMan

Keets, since my intelligence is often questioned and my execution is often flawed, would you please enlighten me on what the heck you just posted? I suspect I agree with you, but right now I am not entirely sure what it is I am likely to agree to.

keets

John, do the words tight and right make things any clearer for you??

Zoins

<< <i>if you want to build a PF69dcam set of Ikes it seems to be a lot easier going with PCGS, the ratio of PCGS to NGC seems to be on the order of 5 or 10:1. It can't have anything to do with price being higher for PCGS because the coins are so cheap and readily available. My PF69DCAM set of Ikes is 100% PCGS, you could build the same set in PCGS in a week on ebay, probably not in the other guys holder though. >>

So use PCGS when you want higher grades and the ability to make a set easier?

<< <i>The "hold" coins tend to go to PCGS and the "sell" coins tend to go to NGC >>

In this case, it would make sense to hold PCGS if you wanted to make a set and sell NGC if they are more rare....

LindeDad

Are the two items pictured very similar in appearances?

JCMhouston

Zoins, definately on the high grade Ikes, and maybe others like State Quarters, I think it is much easier to find PCGS slabs. But is that good or bad? Does that mean PCGS grades these easier than the other guys? Will the other guys slabs be worth more in the future because there are fewer of them (which means, in the circular reasoning people seem to use, they must grade tougher)?

Now personally I don't think it's good or bad, just what appears to be true, I also don't see any real cost/value differences in the coins I collect. But keep in mind the vast majority of what I buy costs under $750, so I'm not buying really rare high end coins. And people buying at that higher level may indeed see a difference. One of my best purchases happens to be in A PCGS holder:


And one of the other bests happens to be in an NGC holder:


So, not to be taken out of context, I think it is indeed easier to put together modern high grade sets in PCGS holders, but for the majority of earlier stuff I collect it appears to make no difference.

keets

the pictured tokens were just an add on and aren't necessarily a part of the post topic.

ColonialCoinUnion

<< <i>The "hold" coins tend to go to PCGS and the "sell" coins tend to go to NGC, a decision based on the High Intelligent direction those two services have given us in the past year or so. >>



No idea what this means.

BECOKA

I know there are a few tons of overgraded Half Eagles in NGC holders. I know for same grade you will rarely get the same money as PCGS but when they are graded 1-2 points higher, it seem the obvious choice.

I have considered sending a bunch of stuff to NGC in prep for sale as well.

woodwalker

Nice tokens!

Arizonadesertrat

The sign by the front display case in my favorite, local shop reads '$5 Charge for Whining'---another comment on the biz end of the hobby?

OneCent

I too suspect that I agree with you, Keets. However, I must admit that your post is somewhat of a riddle wrapped inside an enigma. Either it would have made the Sphinx proud or my reading comprehension is not what it used to be. It could very well be the latter of the two.



edit: I understand now..."tight and right"...I completely get it.