100 Point Grading
There has been some recent discussion about a 100 point grading scale. This is not a new idea. PCGS investigated the 100 point scale several years ago. We decided that it would be too disruptive to implement and in the end would not help collectors in any meaningful way. We have more meaningful ways of growing our business other than forcing our customers to resubmit their coins to be graded on a 100 point scale. Yes, in China there is a state run grading service that uses the 100 point scale. To my knowledge this has made little or no difference in helping buyers understand condition. The vast majority of graded coins sold in China, and around the world, use the Sheldon scale of 1-70.
PCGS introduced Plus (+) grading in 2010. This added 12 grades to our grading scale – (XF45 – MS68, excluding MS60 & MS61). The charts and comparisons that I have seen contain a lot of bad information. You can find an accurate list of the grades that PCGS uses on the PCGS website.
PCGS will not be converting to a 100 point grading scale. Additionally, John Albanese asked me to pass along that CAC would not sticker coins graded on a 100 point scale.
I’ve known Ron Guth for many years. I like and respect him. It’s always interesting to revisit old ideas and look at them in a new light. However, it remains our opinion that the 100 point grading scale would be too disruptive to implement and would not add any substantial value.
Comments
Nice Information...Thank You...
CC
Thank you. That is good news indeed.
I agree, whats the point!
Don, Thanks very much for your informative, helpful and timely post!
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
I'd consider that a momentum killer for sure! A great explanation that should calm some nerves.
We agree. We made that decision at ANACS in 1979.
Tom DeLorey
Thanks Mr. Willis. I only hope your view on this stays the same as time goes by,
Rumors stomped dead on a Sunday.
Things are better already at PCGS!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Thanks for your timely reply!
Thank you!!
Now we know why someone was fired?
Thanks for your overview of the issue!
Great info! Thanks for the clarification.
100-pt scale......... momentum gone.
Makes me better knowing this policy of PCGS
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Good decision to favor collectors but if you guys change your mind, please do so before my CLCT options expire.
I give this thread a full 100 POINTS !!
Do NOT hit me.
C'mon topstuf......haven't you learned anything????? This thread deserves a pure 70 grade with a shiny CAC sticker!!!!!
Oh, and THANK YOU for clarifying company position.
NOTHING is worse than uncertainty.
Good decision.
Renews my faith in PCGS (and CAC). Thanks for the information!
Again, thank you for letting us know this DW, it's greatly appreciated!
""PCGS will not be converting to a 100 point grading scale. Additionally, John Albanese asked me to pass along that CAC would not sticker coins graded on a 100 point scale.""
That is reason enough to do it!
Perhaps submissions will pick up now that everyone knows there will be no 100 scale grade. This should make headline news in our periodicals.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Thank you for talking with us.
Nothing beats transparency.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Thank you very much for the information!
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
Thanks for this announcement. I am in total agreement.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Thanks for the detailed information and post. This is good news as it keeps the important historical grading continuity and does not make anything obsolete in any way. Hopefully the press will report this side of the story, perhaps properly edited by PCGS for accuracy?
Thanks
National Commemorative Medals of the U.S. Mint:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/medals-tokens/national-commemorative-medals-united-states-mint-1940-present/alltimeset/195526
This is good news.
My Saint Set
Thank you; I am relieved and best wishes toward the new horizon!
Common sense prevails. Thanks for the timely information.
I knew it would happen.
Thank you for letting us know!
My YouTube Channel
I am all for tradition. Thank you!
100% Positive BST transactions
Bravo!
Well done, Sheldon.
Good news
Thanks @DonWillis for this clarification
I'm glad to read the present system stays! That makes my prediction of the future wrong.
It does not make any difference what the range of the scale is if the entire scale is not used.
There are only about 30 grades used now on a 70 point scale.
And cramming all mint state grades into the top 11 grades (60 through 70) on the scale creates another set of issues, evidenced by the need to then add the "+" designation to coins that are better than one number but not good enough to make the next number.
60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 equals 11 grade points.
60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 equals only 9 grade points unless you use everything in between, which would balloon it up to 41 grade points, which is unworkable.
Thank you for the heads-up !!!
Good to hear that. Chinese grading company is a joke. Chinese graded coin are Huge discount to PCGS or even NGC. I would not touch any coin that is graded by Chinese company. I will buy NGC graded coin with discount only.
Thank you for the official stance on this issue. Cheers, RickO
thats good info to know and glad to hear it here
Thanks for the information.
Just for fun, how about this ...
70 point grading scale as to the coin grade.
100 point scale for Eye Appeal only.
Ex. PCGS MS66 EA97 for great eye appeal and conversely you could get a PCGS MS66 EA 35 for an ugly high-grade coin.
No need for stickers and the buyer know what they are getting.
Nooooooo, not fun.
I agree with this, it always seemed to me that the scale isn't fully utilized.
Great News Don!
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
Glad we stay in the current system
Very glad to hear this. Our hobby has a tough enough time attracting young collectors without adding the distraction of an unnecessary and confusing competing set of grading standards, imo. From PO1 to MS70, we all know what the grades mean. No need to reinvent the wheel. Thank you to for declaring the official PCGS position to the hobby. You and Mr. Albanese are market leaders and where you go, the hobby follows. Well done.
The existing 70 point scale has worked fine for decades.
Disruption will foster bad will.
I think there are ways for PCGS to drum up repeat business without resorting to a 100 point scale.
For example, they can introduce a star attribute for superiorly toned coins.
They could reintroduce multi-coin holders.