Who Here Loves PNGS as a TPG

keoj · September 19, 2005 1:00PM

Just kidding......looks like another complete ripoff.

www.pngscoin.com

Have fun.

keoj

kranky · September 19, 2005 9:14PM

Their site says the coins are guaranteed genuine or they will pay the fare market value.
Note to their web designer: spell check is no substitute for proofreading!

And their claim that they have the "equivalent" of Intercept Shield is probably not going to go unchallenged.

Preussen · September 19, 2005 9:38PM

Thanks for the "heads up." I'd never heard of them before, but the slabs look disturbingly similar to NGC's to me

- Preussen

messydesk · September 19, 2005 10:54PM

<< Their site says the coins are guaranteed genuine or they will pay the fare market value >>

.
In other words, they'll give you whatever the bus driver will pay for it.

Conder101 · September 20, 2005 3:39AM

New one on me. And those slabs a nothing like NGC slabs. Those shells are marketed by a dealer in OH (Not Amos advantage) and there are several different recent pop-up grading services using them. The outer acrylic is light weight and the center insert is a fiberous or "spun plastic fiber" mat. They are about the same height and width as an NGC slab but are thinner and much lighter in weight.

Outhaul · September 20, 2005 3:45AM

<< A Winning And Safe Combonation! >>

vega1 · September 20, 2005 4:18AM

Yes, they appear very trustworthy, and have obviously spent alot of time and money on the clipart CD they used for their logo. I also suspect that throwing around a trademarked name like "Intercept Shield" may be frowned upon in some circles.

Outhaul · September 20, 2005 4:31AM

Spellcheck would not have flagged "FARE" vs. "FAIR" as it is not an incorrect spelling.

Also, I'm curious how NGC feels about another slab that looks way too much like theirs.

Weiss · September 20, 2005 4:47AM

Errr, you'd have to have some pretty big baulz to use "PNG" as part of your coin grading service name. Talk about a lawsuit just itching to happen.

Link to the PNGS website

anablep · September 20, 2005 7:43AM

Can we get a side-by-side comparison shot of this company and NGC??

Weiss · September 20, 2005 8:54AM

PerryHall · September 20, 2005 8:58AM

Actually, the PNGS coin is nicer looking than the NGC coin.

VamGuy · September 20, 2005 9:03AM

<< Spellcheck would not have flagged "FARE" vs. "FAIR" as it is not an incorrect spelling. >>

Than it wood not flag this miss take either.

Sorry, invalid excuse for ignorance and incompetence. And the fact that combonation (sic) is spelled incorrectly would suggest that a spell checker wasn't even used.

Preussen · September 20, 2005 9:11AM

<< And those slabs a nothing like NGC slabs. >>

Hey, Conder101, cut me some slack, huh?

I didn't say the slabs are like NGC's, I said they look disturbingly similar (to me). - Preussen

2bucks · September 20, 2005 9:28AM

I hope you're joking

VamGuy · September 20, 2005 9:43AM

<< I said they look disturbingly similar (to me). - Preussen >>

I agree wholeheartedly with Preussen. The plastic holder and the label look far too much alike to be a mere coincidence.

2bucks · September 20, 2005 9:47AM

I hope you're joking

Weiss · September 20, 2005 10:45AM

They look very similar. I don't know what the litmus test is for infringement, or if that's even something that could be applied here. But if the standard is something simple like "Would an average consumer be confused by the two", then yes, they're way too close.

xbob · September 20, 2005 11:16AM

I filled out the contact form over at NGC. Even if this company can grade coins well, the holder design is a complete ripoff.

Like most here, my opinion is that it's intentionally designed to confuse the consumer with NGC holders.

They probably already knew about this anyway, but just in case, now they will.

keoj · September 20, 2005 12:41PM

In addition to the similarity of the holders, its not like PNGS and PCGS are that close in name as well.

keoj

FatMan · September 20, 2005 12:50PM

The holders and labels have little in common other than color. Date, Denomination, SN, Company Name are all placed in distinctly different locations. An entirely different font is used. What are you guys smoking?

I am sure these guys will be a pox on our hobby just like all the others. But you all a grasping for straws if you think there is any legitimate claim of infringement by NGC here.

wayneherndon · September 20, 2005 1:10PM

Now it says "faire market value".

I have alerted Intercept Shield. Will be curious to see if a polite phone call does it or these guys hold out for a lawyer's nasty gram.

Then, NGC, PCGS, PNG, etc. can have their turns at 'em.

WH

Weiss · September 20, 2005 1:32PM

<< The holders and labels have little in common other than color. Date, Denomination, SN, Company Name are all placed in distinctly different locations. An entirely different font is used. What are you guys smoking? >>

You got us there.

There are only something like 18 million distinct colors in the spectrum. I'm sure they chose NGC's "warm autumn bronze" by coincidence. The square-edged label with a rounded field was entirely unintentional. And the white background with black letters and digits was just lucky chance.

As for distinct placement...four lines of data:

Top: date followed by type, then denomination
Middle top: grade
Middle bottom: serial number
Bottom: bar code

Complete coincidence. Though of course Anacs uses a different sequence altogether and PCGS includes a fifth line of information.

FatMan · September 20, 2005 2:13PM

<< entirely unintentional >>

I never suggested the similarities are unintentional. I am quite sure they are very intentional. And all the differences are intentional as well. Fact is, NGC will have no infringement claim here. The products may be similar, but are too different for a legitimate claim. They may choose to make a claim just in hopes of putting a financial hit on the newcomers (likely scammers), but a good lawyer will quickly get it dismissed. However, I do see where Intercept Sheild could easily get them to remove their name from the website.

Myqqy · September 20, 2005 2:17PM

Actually, the PNGS coin is nicer looking than the NGC coin.

Monster toning!!

Conder101 · September 21, 2005 1:05AM

<< Hey, Conder101, cut me some slack, huh? I didn't say the slabs are like NGC's, I said they look disturbingly similar (to me). - Preussen >>

Sorry, with it being my particular hang up I just glance at the slab and it just jumps out at me as being very different. I tend to forget that the differences may not be as obvious to others

Smittys · September 21, 2005 1:18AM

29 Auctions on ebay already.
Link to PNGS auction items

gyocomgd · September 21, 2005 1:20AM

The guy crowing about PNGS in his auctions (which feature about 20 of these) is also from New York. Could be a deal similar to Aboncom and SGS, who are one and the same.

Preussen · September 21, 2005 1:28AM

<< 

<< Hey, Conder101, cut me some slack, huh? I didn't say the slabs are like NGC's, I said they look disturbingly similar (to me). - Preussen >>

Sorry, with it being my particular hang up I just glance at the slab and it just jumps out at me as being very different. I tend to forget that the differences may not be as obvious to others >>

Thanks

and no harm done

It just struck me as something I might mistake for NGC on a first glance. - Preussen

xbob · September 21, 2005 1:37AM

<< I filled out the contact form over at NGC. Even if this company can grade coins well, the holder design is a complete ripoff.

Like most here, my opinion is that it's intentionally designed to confuse the consumer with NGC holders.

They probably already knew about this anyway, but just in case, now they will. >>

Got a response this morning from NGC:

"Thank you for your email. We are taking appropriate action to see that
it is changed.

I sincerely appreciate your efforts on NGC's behalf.

Best regards,

NGC Customer Service"

Go get 'em!

Conder101 · September 21, 2005 3:24AM

Great, that means that there will be ANOTHER variety I'll have to find. And I'll have to pick up one of these expensive ones before they change the slab and these disappear.

Who Here Loves PNGS as a TPG

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