Science-based grading technology

Whit · January 29, 2026 11:30AM

Hello everyone; According to Coin World, "Quantitative Collectors Group introduced its groundbreaking, science-based coin grading technology to visitors at the 2026 FUN show, offering collectors an early look ... "

To those who have seen this technology in action, do please share your impressions.

Whit

(The article goes on to say that "the unit is designed to enhance subjectivity ... ". Insert emoji of your choice here.)

Typekat · January 29, 2026 11:37AM

I guess it was too difficult to enhance objectivity

Samets · January 29, 2026 11:39AM

As long as it's consistent and respects current scale, I'm fine with it. Sadly, eye appeal is something that I doubt they'll get the program to take into the grade it spits out...

Creg · January 29, 2026 11:45AM

@Typekat said:
I guess it was too difficult to enhance objectivity

Enhancing subjectivity Is BSing.

Edit: I’m not criticizing the technology, but the non-message of the blurb. Like, lying to your boss about why you are late to work, then embellishing it. Enhanced scatology.

dipset512 · January 29, 2026 11:47AM

Image of the Device

The OCS200, a type of digital microscope, uses lighting and high-resolution imaging to analyze coins across five key grading areas: wear, surface preservation, luster, strike sharpness and eye appeal.

johnny9434 · January 29, 2026 12:33PM

Im happy with what I got now

Cougar1978 · January 29, 2026 12:48PM

Eventually they will have self grading AI enhanced holders available at Walmart. Goodbye holder game.

Alpha2814 · January 29, 2026 1:00PM

Couldn't find the article at Coin World. Found this though: https://smebusinessreview.com/wealth-and-investment-management/new-coin-grading-technology-comes-orlando-industry-gathers-major-us-coin-show

The QCG website: https://qcgcoins.com/

Their Indiegogo launches Feb 2.

PapiNE · January 29, 2026 1:04PM

I suggested this years ago and was quickly shot down by others on this forum. Having worked with laser recorders that carry digital information and lay it down in a predetermined format, I knew it was possible and surprised it didn't widely exist. Not sure how preservation and eye appeal will be read but fingers crossed. I quit sending coins in due to all the disappointing and unexplained results. Hopefully the community will accept this leap forward.

JBK · January 29, 2026 1:15PM

I'm not optimistic.

There are too many variables such as wear vs weak strike, different grading standards for different coin types, cleaning issues, etc.

Is grading an art or a science? If it's an art, then good luck. If it's a science, then almost as much good luck.

Elcontador · January 29, 2026 1:31PM

The problem is that coins haven't been technically graded for quite some time, grading standards have changed, and market grading took over quite some time ago, emphasizing eye appeal on the highest graded and most expensive coins.

Ie., how would this scientifically graded program treat a Coronet Head Large Cent which is no-brainer MS 65 with 15% RD? The original grading standards said if the coin had > 5% original RD, it would be in a RB holder. A good 20 + years ago, if you wanted to make a RB Unc. copper, it has to have at least 20% original RD. Original RD only in the protected spaces on the obverse between the stars won't do.

jmlanzaf · January 29, 2026 2:48PM

@PapiNE said:
I suggested this years ago and was quickly shot down by others on this forum. Having worked with laser recorders that carry digital information and lay it down in a predetermined format, I knew it was possible and surprised it didn't widely exist. Not sure how preservation and eye appeal will be read but fingers crossed. I quit sending coins in due to all the disappointing and unexplained results. Hopefully the community will accept this leap forward.

We'd be happy to do it again, if you're bored.

jmlanzaf · January 29, 2026 2:54PM

Their idea of a coin guarantee is you can scan it as many times as you want. Gee, that'll help if it turns out to be counterfeit.

What dealer wants this in their shop an they can argue with the machine and the customer?

PapiNE · January 29, 2026 3:47PM

@jmlanzaf Nah, I have experience in other forums trying to talk sense to an old mans club. Not worth it. Can only hope they forget how to log in....

jmlanzaf · January 29, 2026 4:15PM

@PapiNE said:
@jmlanzaf Nah, I have experience in other forums trying to talk sense to an old mans club. Not worth it. Can only hope they forget how to log in....

Eventually, everyone forgets how to log in.

MrEureka · January 29, 2026 4:24PM

@Typekat said:
I guess it was too difficult to enhance objectivity

Our current systems blend objective and subjective factors into a single grade. But it’s not completely crazy to suggest that we might be better off if the objective factors were left to machines and the subjective ones left to humans.

And I don’t think it would be hard for people to adjust. Arguably, we’re already doing something similar when we price our coins.

JBK · January 29, 2026 5:26PM

@PapiNE said:
@jmlanzaf Nah, I have experience in other forums trying to talk sense to an old mans club. Not worth it. Can only hope they forget how to log in....

Well that's a pretty dismissive attitude. And ageism.

Your comment above is probably telling:

I quit sending coins in due to all the disappointing and unexplained results.

It seems that you don't have a grasp of how grading works, so perhaps it's not surprising that you're embracing this wizardry.

yosclimber · January 29, 2026 5:34PM

I see no statistics for how well the QCG grades correlate with, say, PCGS grades, by coin series. This would seem to be a minimum starting point for any new grading service.
There is no encapsulation, so the QR code/serial number would only tie to QCG's online saved images of the coin. Matching a coin by photos can be quite difficult for high grade modern coins. I suppose a coin could be self-sealed into a 2 pocket flip with a print of the QR code in the second pocket. So that would be one method to keep the QR code with the coin, although it could also be easily faked.
Until there is a demonstrated demand for this type of "remote grading" service, I expect very few people will pay to rent or buy their OCS-200 machine. We might see a few machines that they give away to dealers who are investors or business partners. But demand would seem to be limited because of 1. and 2. above.
Like Andy said, it could be an objective way to measure %Red, luster and possibly strike. If those attributes were provided as separate measures in addition to the overall Sheldon grade, that could be useful (similar to the components for NGC Ancients - Strike, Surface and Style). But the description only mentions the Sheldon grade.

Science-based grading technology

Comments

Leave a Comment