Am I going crazy or have EAC grading and TPG grading started to converge?

So lately I’ve been seeing a lot of early copper in newly graded holders with grades approaching, if not exactly spot on with what I would consider to be the EAC grade. Usually I buy these immediately and consider them under-graded.
Last month I bought a raw 1794 cent that was graded and previously catalogued as EAC Fine 15+ (20) and decided to send it in. It came back Fine 15! 😱 even two years ago my 40+ Chain Cent graded 53. And going back more years I got used to seeing 45 coins in MS holders.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong and it all really depends on each individual coin, but I’d like to at least think for a little while that the grading of early copper is finally getting under control and away from “market standards” which are just flabbergasting.
Comments
If the two options/choices in your question are the only ones from which to choose, I'll go with the first one.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
IF the coin you bought was in a CAC holder I could totally see that being the case, any other TPG and I'd say it was a one-off fluke. Market grading is still the king at PCGS and NGC.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I can offer a "definite maybe"... seriously though, PCGS has definitely tightened up over about the last 3-4 years. Deficiencies that were once deemed "market acceptable" are ending up in details holders. Over this time period, I've purchased a number of coins through EAC dealers and sent in a few over the past year and a half... here are a couple with the EAC card for comparison. I'll see if I can find a few others once I have access to coins again...


Dealers' Card
Came back AU50
Dealers' card (Bob's card is cut off... AU50)


Came back AU55
Here's one that PCGS had previously graded XF40... I thought it was pretty strong for the grade and wouldn't have any problems getting it to recertify... so, I cracked it and had it in my album for a number of years before sending it back.



She came back AU50...
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_ PCGS has definitely tightened up over about the last 3-4 years. Deficiencies that were once deemed "market acceptable" are ending up in details holders._
That’s my experience as well, in general, as well as coins coming back lower graded than expected.
But I also still some problem coins with straight grades that make me think wtf…
That's crazy talk!!!!!!