Dominion Grading Service

cameonut2011 · August 6, 2023 1:45PM

What ever happened to DGS (David Lawrence's grading service)?

U1chicago · August 6, 2023 2:10PM

They closed in 2010:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/.amp/archive/dominion-shuts-down

“In the time since we started DGS, both PCGS and NGC have made great strides and improvements to their grading technologies and practices and we no longer feel that our services are needed. Additionally, CAC is doing a fantastic job of assessing the quality in PCGS and NGC holders.
“As for DGS, we simply do not feel that there is enough demand for collector coins at this time to merit our further investment. We have discontinued grading at DGS at this time.

SoCalBigMark · August 6, 2023 10:08PM

They graded tight, always on the lookout for those slabs.

Twobitcollector · August 7, 2023 2:14AM

I still have one.
I found this cud in the wild and sent it in with a few others.
I saved this one.

seatedlib3991 · August 7, 2023 8:41AM

I have 3 DGS coins but since I sell through Great Collections I suppose one day I will have to do some sort of cross over.

telephoto1 · August 7, 2023 10:38AM

@U1chicago said:
They closed in 2010:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/.amp/archive/dominion-shuts-down

“In the time since we started DGS, both PCGS and NGC have made great strides and improvements to their grading technologies and practices and we no longer feel that our services are needed. Additionally, CAC is doing a fantastic job of assessing the quality in PCGS and NGC holders.
“As for DGS, we simply do not feel that there is enough demand for collector coins at this time to merit our further investment. We have discontinued grading at DGS at this time.

Translation : "We aren't getting enough subs to warrant the cost of continuing." Collector coins were doing just fine; the lack of demand was for their particular grading service.

JBatDavidLawrence · August 10, 2023 6:46PM

@seatedlib3991 said:
I have 3 DGS coins but since I sell through Great Collections I suppose one day I will have to do some sort of cross over.

That would be a numismatic crime!

JBatDavidLawrence · August 10, 2023 6:50PM

@telephoto1 said:

Translation : "We aren't getting enough subs to warrant the cost of continuing." Collector coins were doing just fine; the lack of demand was for their particular grading service.

I have no dog in this fight as the decision wasn't mine to make at the time...BUT...The major grading services actually made 2 major changes that were largely forced by DGS.
1. The option of getting your Details graded coins placed in a holder.
2. Imaging every coin that came through.

pointfivezero · August 10, 2023 7:07PM

@JBatDavidLawrence - I do have a dog in this fight, to your first point:

Tim

seatedlib3991 · August 11, 2023 9:20AM

I guess it will be a numismatic crime then. No one in my family cares WHAT is in the holders, much less what kind of holder it is. My collection is divided up into 6 GC auctions, and the last one will liquidate the ICG, SEGS, DGS coins. James

cameonut2011 · August 11, 2023 11:13AM

It’s a shame. I thought they actually did a good job. It looks like they brought about some positive changes to the hobby to boot.

coinbuf · August 11, 2023 11:18AM

@seatedlib3991 said:
I guess it will be a numismatic crime then. No one in my family cares WHAT is in the holders, much less what kind of holder it is. My collection is divided up into 6 GC auctions, and the last one will liquidate the ICG, SEGS, DGS coins. James

You could also leave instructions for that last group of coins to listed here on the BST, I'm sure that a few slab collectors might be interested in those.

seatedlib3991 · August 11, 2023 11:33AM

For what it is worth no one knows the future so anything could happen. My coins will be sold over a 6 year period. This will give my wife additional income for those years. Box 6 already contains the following note:
" Dear staff at Great Collections. I am the original owner of these coins but am long dead.
The people you are dealing with are my heirs. They know nothing about coins. I trust your staff to assess the enclosed coins and determine the exact steps that should be taken to maximize their value. Feel free to let them know what decisions you make, but don't be surprised if they don't know what you are talking about." James -------------

drwstr123 · August 11, 2023 12:47PM

UpGrayedd · August 11, 2023 1:17PM

I have several DGS slabs and pick them up whenever I see them as long as they are reasonably priced. I don't have pictures of all of them but here are two I have saved in my phone.

Apologies for my terrible photography skills.

jkrk · August 11, 2023 1:54PM

I never heard of DGS. It was before my time. IN 2008, I was buying gold Pandas and Kangaroos thus no need for coin graders.

Anyway, Did anyone ever try cross their coins with PCGS or NGC ? I was wondering about the results?

drwstr123 · August 11, 2023 3:07PM

@jkrk said:
I never heard of DGS. It was before my time. IN 2008, I was buying gold Pandas and Kangaroos thus no need for coin graders.

Anyway, Did anyone ever try cross their coins with PCGS or NGC ? I was wondering about the results?

I did and they were spot on consistent.

cameonut2011 · August 11, 2023 4:21PM

The few I have encountered seemed spot on. It’s too bad it’s gone. I’d love to see more competition among grading services. I think years of bad decisions have permanently eroded faith in ICG and ANAC so there is limited competition at the top.

WiscKau · August 12, 2023 7:34AM

I was there from the beginning.

Dominion Grading Service

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