dating PCGS serial numbers

jfoot13

Is there a chart or way to tell what year a coin was certified by the serial number on the holder? I would think this would be a usefull tool when buying on a venue such as teletrade.. for instance if 2 MS65 FS jeffs came up knowing how tight the grading is now I would rather take my chances on one graded in the last 6 months as opposed to a year and a half ago where the same coin would be a 66/7.... I know, I know buy the coin not the plastic but when you can't view the coin in hand you can at least play the percentages..

TomB

PCGS does not share that information with the public.

kranky

No, and they randomize the numbers on purpose so it can't be used to determine when a coin was graded. You can get a rough idea by the type of label/hologram used, because the sequencing of those is documented.

Bear

Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number?

jfoot13

<< <i>No, and they randomize the numbers on purpose so it can't be used to determine when a coin was graded. You can get a rough idea by the type of label/hologram used, because the sequencing of those is documented. >>



I guess I'm thinking they were consecutive... I read about people sending in their proof sets together to get consecutive serial numbers.. and I noticed on my submissions the numbers were pretty much in order when I got them back..

Bear

I heard that the numbers are randomized

periodically , so that the dating can not

be tracked.

jfoot13

<< <i>Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number? >>



because they are certified and the best bear why else I don't date whizzed, counterfeit or tooled numbers

COALPORTER

I'd like to know this too.

i'd like to know if a coin was crossed over in the last year or so.

So, are you guys saying that if you send 4 coin to PCGS, when you get them back the cert numbers will not be in order ?
I've seen NGC numbers that are consecutive .


Why does NGC put a hyphen in the cert # ?

TomB

PCGS will use blocks of certification numbers at one time, but then will use a non-consecutive block immediately after the first block is finished. In this way, you can have a lower certification number for a coin slabbed today than one slabbed several years ago.

BigE

I dated a serial number once. She left me when she got out of prison------------------------------BigE

BlindedByEgo

I've heard that if you cut through it sideways, you can count the rings

shmort6552

I understand now "how" PCGS mixes up the cert numbers but my question then would be, "why"?

I don't understand how it can hurt to be able to know when a coin was graded. Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks

Bruce

WTCG

If you submit a lot of coins you'll notice some patterns and trends in the serial number assignments, but there's no foolproof way of knowing that information with absolute certainty. In the past the serial numbers were easier to decipher, but that isn't the case anymore.

BigE

They may relate in some way to the grader who graded it and they want to keep it confidential----------BigE

lope208

Hmmmm. Interesting thread guys. I didn't realize they occasionally randomized the numbering.

One resource you could check is the shared orders page on the PCGS Member's Site.

Obviously, not everyone shares their order, but it does have a steady stream of cert.
numbers available from DECEMBER 2001 to the PRESENT.

messydesk

<< <i>I understand now "how" PCGS mixes up the cert numbers but my question then would be, "why"? >>


It's not supposed to matter. Just look at the PCGS dealer agreement where there's not supposed to be any consideration made for when a coin was slabbed. To facilitate it not mattering, it's made difficult to determine.

pennyannie

I would think a computer geek could figure this out with a little help from a disgruntled former employee

Frankcoins

<< <i>I understand now "how" PCGS mixes up the cert numbers but my question then would be, "why"?

I don't understand how it can hurt to be able to know when a coin was graded. Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks

Bruce >>



Because PCGS dealers may not offer a lower or higher Bid depending on when the coin was graded.

jfoot13

after mulling over the subject I think it might be so the competition won't know how many submissions are being processed per month or year or what ever... I work at a chain drugstore and every week or so we send a perscription over to the competition to see how many scripts they filled that week ( the script numbers must be filled in numerical order in CT ) but I still wish there were a to determine the time frame even though the numbers aren"t consecutive

Broadstruck

<< <i>Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number? >>

jfoot13

<< <i>

<< <i>Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number? >>



>>



because I refuse to date anything that will body bag

kranky

<< <i>after mulling over the subject I think it might be so the competition won't know how many submissions are being processed per month or year or what ever... I work at a chain drugstore and every week or so we send a perscription over to the competition to see how many scripts they filled that week ( the script numbers must be filled in numerical order in CT ) but I still wish there were a to determine the time frame even though the numbers aren"t consecutive >>



It's not that. PCGS does disclose how many submissions they get. According to the most recent Collectors Universe 10-Q filing, there were 484,000 coins submitted in the first quarter of 2008.

Broadstruck

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number? >>



>>



because I refuse to date anything that will body bag >>



Think about your answer for a moment, as most humans will at some point body bag.

jfoot13

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Why would you want to

go out on a date ,with a

PCGS Number? >>



>>



because I refuse to date anything that will body bag >>



Think about your answer for a moment, as most humans will at some point body bag. >>



With the advent of and increased frequency of transplants the prospect of ( at least partial immortality ) isn't that far fetched.. but I digress.. the purpose of the question was to be able to date the PCGS slab so when buying over the internet or other sight unseen venue to be able to take into account market acceptability of the grading stadards at the time.. wether we admit it or not we know at various times the services are more stringent on areas such as full steps, full bell lines etc. and even the amount of chatter and location of such on the coin to make the grade..
The changes in the style of the slab helps to a certain degree but I would like to be able to fine tune the time line a little more(especially when the slab type runs for an extended peroid of time)

I have double row boxes of slabbed warnickels and the grading is usually pretty consistant during the timeframe but when they are taken from different peroids the grading appears somewhat inconsistant... I'm not complaining the coin is what it is but when buying sight unseen or from photos such as from TT or ebay I'd like to be able to factor as many variables into the equation as possible.. especially on auctions that offer no return on TPG slabbed coins...