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Which brings a better price - PCGS+ CAC or CACG+
DisneyFan
Posts: 2,996 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ignore the published price guides.
Which brings a better price - PCGS+ CAC or CACG+
This is a public poll: others will see what you voted for.
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For me it is the more eye appealing coin.
It's interesting in that a PCGS+/CAC coin has one opinion that the coin is + (PCGS) while another opinion that the coin is at least acceptable for their base grade (CAC) whereas a CACG+ coin just has one opinion that the coin is a + (CACG).
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Does “PCGS+ CAC” signify a non plus PCGS grade with a CAC sticker or a PCGS plus grade with a CAC sticker?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I would pay more for the coin that is nicer, regardless of the holder.
All things equal, I’d lean towards the market assigning a higher value to PCGS+ (plus grade) w/CAC sticker.
However, where large pricing spreads between grades exist in series where there are also large spreads between CAC’d and non-CAC’d material, a CACG+ holder may be worth more.
Superb collections are built more by omission than by addition.
PCGS+ with a CAC.
Depending on the series, that option isn't always available.
Ignore what my vote shows, I meant to vote the other way.
Each of those two choices is based on one opinion that THAT coin merits a plus! Only PCGS is saying for sure on the PCGS+ with a CAC sticker coin merits that plus. The accompanying CAC sticker ONLY says that in the opinion of CAC, that coin is solid at the WHOLE grade number! Maybe CAC believes it’s also solid as a plus, but maybe not. We don’t know, since their policy is to ignore the plus when determining to sticker a coin or not.
The second choice, a plus grade by CACG, DOES indeed mean that in CACG’s opinion, that plus grade on their holder is warranted. While grading STANDARDS are theoretically the same between CAC and CACG, their policies differ, as noted - CAC ignores plus grades when stickering, but CACG will indeed add a plus when they believe it is merited.
With that said, in my opinion, I respect the more conservative nature CACG’s plus opinion more than that of PCGS.
Full disclosure - I only own coins graded by PCGS, since I am a slave to their Registry. About half of my coins eligible for a plus have a plus, and every one has a CAC sticker (61, 69, and 70 grades are ineligible for a plus). If the PCGS Registry allowed CACG graded coins with no penalty, those would be mainly the coins I’d be buying, as long as I liked the coin!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set! Winner of the 2026 PCGS Registry Award for “The Best U.S. Type Set”!
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Power of PCGS registry leans my vote although I like CACG.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
To my way of thinking, only CACG confirms a "+." So those coins should be worth more; BUT, in my experience I've been able to get some good CACG+ buys. I believe the popularity of the PCGS Registry sets is what is driving tho PCGS+ with CAC prices. As CACG gains market share, that may change. What could drastically change the situation is if the CAC price guide starts posting values for CACG+ coins.
I think it boils down to the coin really. Ive owned some really nice NGC CAC coins even though they were not included in this vote.
CACG is to new to be considered a serious competitor with PCGS and I bet submission numbers would prove that.
I am only making an observation that if PCGS coins bring more in general it would only conclude they would bring more with a CAC sticker.
I did not vote because I think its all about the coin but a gold shield with a sticker sure looks sharp.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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CAC is much more stingy giving away plus grades.
Not sure and of course for me it depends on the coin itself. Assuming the coin is ‘all there’, I prefer PCGS plus CAC. Not sure if that’s the right answer but that’s my personal preference.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/