How does ANACS grading compare to PCGS and NGC?

hoardmonster · October 27, 2003 7:38PM

Generally speaking does how does ANACS compare to the other two? Do they tend to grade higher lower or about the same?

wingedliberty · October 27, 2003 8:02PM

I would say that generally speaking, about the same, especially when it comes to silver dollars and type.
They are also very tough on moderns. The advantage is also that they recognize far more in the area of die varieties and errors. You can combine foreign and U.S and errors on the same submission form. There is greater overall flexibility of submitting.
ANACS coins bring about 25% less than PCGS and NGC, but ANACS has established themselves as a firm third best and I have no problem buying their coins. I have had some challenges with them in the past, but it was quickly resolved by their graders and customer service.
Another thing I like about them is their visibility at shows and the fact that they are one of the services that stands behind their guarantee and you can talk to the people behind the service.
PCGS ,NGC, and ANACS are the only ones who do that effectively, and I like to know who is behind the service and who is doing the grading. Full disclosure is the only way.

hoardmonster · October 27, 2003 8:13PM

Thanks for the info wingedliberty. I've been wondering why ANACS coins always seem to be cheaper. I wasn't sure if they were overgraded or just less respected and/or prestigious. That is good news I guess, because I should be able to find some nice stuff at lower prices because they are ANACS instead of one of the other two big ones.

wingedliberty · October 27, 2003 8:15PM

Good luck in your search.

FC57Coins · October 27, 2003 8:37PM

My impression is pretty much along Wingedliberty's except I would add that that in my mind they're just about on a par with NGC, though perhaps not quite as tight on Morgans. I think sometimes when you look at toned Morgans from ANACS you have to wonder. Also with Franklins they don't seem to be as consistent as NGC - though overall they're comparable. They're very tough on moderns, and very good at varieties and errors.

greghansen · October 28, 2003 12:43AM

I'm not as enamored with ANACS as the previous posters. I have them a pretty distant third...in fact probably fourth. I find they pretty consistently grade at least a half point (or grade) too high on the 'money coins', i.e. those coins where there is a big jump in price from one grade to another. Thats where you really have to be careful with an ANACS coin IMO. Good example is from XF45 to AU50 for the 1892-S Morgan. There are many other examples. I do like their variety attribution and I can't say anything bad about their work in that area.

Placid · October 28, 2003 12:49AM

What greghansen said.

BigD5 · October 28, 2003 2:32AM

In general, I like ANACS. I agree an awfully lot with what Greg Hansen stated, but when buying better date pieces at split grades, you have to make that assessment yourself in the buying process, and not rely on the slab. If the coin looks xf/45, fine. If it looks xf, and the slab states xf/45.....well, now it depends on what the asking price is.
I don't think any of the lesser services is even knocking on their door for the number 3 slot.
Personally, I've always had good luck picking coins up that were in ANACS holders, and getting them crossed over to NGC (I don't throw much PCGS' way). I did sell a small group of Morgans in anacs holders to a board member, and every coin crossed at pcgs.

You have to look at the coin, and judge for yourself whether it meets the assigned grade or not, no matter what the holder.

IrishMike · October 28, 2003 2:39AM

ANACS is a little less consistent in maintaining their grading standards then NGC and somewhat more consistent then PCGS.

mdwoods · October 28, 2003 2:42AM

You need to try ANYAKS the new grading service from Nepal.

I would put ANACS on par with NGC. Both just slightly below PCGS. But I always look for nice coins in any holder. Nice coins can be crossed.

Russ · October 28, 2003 2:53AM

To date, every ANACS 1964 proof Kennedy and 1965 to 1967 SMS Kennedy that I've cracked out and sent to PCGS has graded at, or higher, than the grade ANACS had assigned. Just got another one in - a 1967 in 67CAM - that I believe will have no trouble making the same grade at PCGS. Also, on the earlier era proof coins ANACS is the toughest of all for getting the deep cameo designation (they call it "Heavy Cameo").

Of the handful of Morgans I've dealt with, I find them to be about the same as NGC, and not too far behind PCGS. Matter of fact, the last two I cracked both graded the same at PCGS.

That said, I'll admit the results are skewed by the fact that I only buy ones that I think will make the grade at PCGS and NGC, so the focus is too narrow to make any realistic assessment of them overall.

Russ, NCNE

IrishMike · October 28, 2003 2:59AM

Russ your focus isn't narrow that is the key, i.e. learning what each grading company looks at to establish a grade. Buy coins that will cross if that is your intent.

Edited to add: that's why consistency in grading is so important, if you know going in that you have a good chance of grading it according to how the TPG will then it makes sense to submit it. All three have a different emphasis on what is most important to them.

bushmaster8 · October 28, 2003 3:00AM

I have had several ANACS MS64 Franklins go 65 at PCGS. Newer makes only. SOME of the coins in the older smaller anacs slab are horrible.

Barry · October 28, 2003 3:15AM

I like ANACS. FWIW, I just got some coins back from PCGS and the 2 that were ex-ANACS (cracked out) and now PCGS carry the same grade (I'm done experimenting now...) And, last year I sold a Chain Cent in an ANACS G-4 slab for VG money to a dealer who specializes in early coppers. We both agreed, without any argument, it was a VG coin.

On a related note, where are you guys getting "deals" on sight-seen ANACS-slabbed coins? In my experience, dealers don't sell them for any less.

Russ · October 28, 2003 3:20AM

Barry,

eBay!

Here's the most recent ANACS Kennedy I picked off.

Russ, NCNE

Rampage · October 28, 2003 3:39AM

I love ANACS. Remember, EVERY service will have an OOPS every now and then. Buy the coin, not the holder. At least that is what everyone says.

paigowjohnny · October 28, 2003 3:57AM

I generally like ANACS. In working on upgrading my UNC Walker short set and my Dansco type set, I always look for ANACS first because I know I'm getting a decent coin, and I'm gonna crack it for the albums anyway. And I think they have great customer service for the price on the couple of occasions I've used them.

I think ANACS is a bit loose on circ Morgans. I've got a 79-CC Morgan that I bought raw...thought it an EF when I bought it, and ANACS gave it that grade, but now that I've seen a few from NGC and PCGS...I'd bet they'd probably give it a high VF.

Don't hesitate buying ANACS, but make sure you get coin in hand.

291fifth · October 28, 2003 4:19AM

ANACS is underrated in the grading arena. When it comes to things like modern commems they seem to be the most conservative of any of the grading services.

wallstreetman · October 28, 2003 5:11AM

hoardmonster, the prices tell the story! I think you already know the answer!

Russ · October 28, 2003 5:19AM

Okay, Wallstreetman has now weighed in with his considered opinion. Can FanOfModerns be far behind?

Russ, NCNE

goose3 · October 28, 2003 5:23AM

For the people that are bagging on anacs...............When was the last time you saw an ANACS MS or PF 70?

I personally have never seen one but I believe there are some.
I also personally do not believe that there is such a thing as "70".

IrishMike · October 28, 2003 5:45AM

<< <i>I like ANACS. FWIW, I just got some coins back from PCGS and the 2 that were ex-ANACS (cracked out) and now PCGS carry the same grade (I'm done experimenting now...) And, last year I sold a Chain Cent in an ANACS G-4 slab for VG money to a dealer who specializes in early coppers. We both agreed, without any argument, it was a VG coin.

On a related note, where are you guys getting "deals" on sight-seen ANACS-slabbed coins? In my experience, dealers don't sell them for any less. >>

Barry to answer your question, there are two places online Ebay and Teletrade. Many of these coins are sold by collectors and not dealers. I have several IHC's that I have purchased that are no brainer cross overs or upgrades. Most the the dealers that show up at the monthly coin show I attend if they sell slabs they are anacs. They tend to be properly graded.

Barry · October 28, 2003 6:14AM

<< <i>For the people that are bagging on anacs...............When was the last time you saw an ANACS MS or PF 70? >>

[sarcasm]If there were a coin dealer named David Anacs Rare Coins, then you'd see some ANACS 70 coins in his inventory [/sarcasm]

BigD5 · October 28, 2003 7:11AM

goose3 · October 28, 2003 7:26AM

barry....

mintluster · October 28, 2003 9:06AM

IMO - It DOESN'T!

jdimmick · October 28, 2003 9:24AM

I have to agree with Hanson and the others. I tend to see ANACS overgrading coins in F thru AU on Barber Material. Walkers, SLQ, and Some of the XF-45 to AU-55 range on Morgan's as well.

Today for the first time in a while, I did see a 1922 No D lincoln that ANACS undergraded one full point easily, (see my previous post)

Holdered as VG-8 (If broken out and submitted to PCGS, would have easily holdered at F-12) IMO

coinkat · October 28, 2003 9:33AM

It depends on the series... ANACs is tough on certain series and dates within certain series and too liberal in other areas. If you look at enough coins in holders of the big three you can figure out the pattern.

coinlieutenant · October 28, 2003 9:37AM

Ah yes....WSM and FOM...

Let the nuggets of sh... I mean wisdom fall from the sky....

IMO, ANACS is close on alot of coins.... Super tough in regards to cleaning sometimes and othertimes I dont know what the hell they are doing.

I saw a Bust Dollar the other day at the Saint Louis show that was obviously smoked and in a normal graded ANACS holder...

Then I sent in a beautiful 1845-O Seated half the other day and it came back cleaned.... Yeah, it might have been cleaned lightly like 8000 years ago... but nonetheless, Net graded...

JoyofCollecting · October 28, 2003 9:57AM

I have been pleased with coins in ANACS holders for the most part. In the area where I tend to concentrate a lot of my time and money (seated dimes in AU50 to MS64), I have seen more consistency in ANACS slabs than NGC. However, about 20% of the time, PCGS might grade a point lower than ANACS.

I do prefer ANACS' method of net grading coins. It drives me crazy when I see cleaned or other problem coins in a PCGS holder that have AU details and carry a grade of EF40 as a means of market grading. They seem to do this on the really rare dates.

I prefer the ANACS method of stating on the slab "cleaned, AU details net EF40."

How does ANACS grading compare to PCGS and NGC?

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