Coin graders... Is their an accpeted scale?
McDonis
Posts: 279
As a new guy to both this forum and the hobby I am very confused about the ranking of the different grading compaines.
I know PCGS is considered the best or at least the most value when reselling but who else is considered close or equal to PCGS for quality and value for reselling. It seems like NGC is right up their and Star grading is at the bottom.
How is anacs or ics considered?
I know PCGS is considered the best or at least the most value when reselling but who else is considered close or equal to PCGS for quality and value for reselling. It seems like NGC is right up their and Star grading is at the bottom.
How is anacs or ics considered?
Bottom Feeder collector, Happy collector of Moderns
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Comments
The only real protection is learning how to grade. There are plenty of "dog" coins in top tier holders being hawked as "PQ" (premium quality). The newbie can not tell the difference and some make very expensive mistakes buying these "dogs" relying on the grade on the holder. It takes the average collector several years to learn to grade consistently. Look at lot of coins, preferably in person. Even better is with an experienced eye giving you commentary. The guess the grade threads can help too, but there is an upper limit to learning by grading photos and scans.
I suggest that the new collector avoid coins where the grade makes the price. Buy where the next grade down isn't a big difference in price, so if the coin is low end, the buyer doesn't take a big hit. In my opinion, the most dangerous cliche in the hobby is "buy the best grade you can afford." This is great for sellers looking to unload their "dog" coins, not so great for the inexperienced newbie.
The other cliche that comes to mind is that if a person doesn't know their coins, they d*mn well better know their dealer.
typically they're well described on the labels...
so just because somethings in a slab doesn't mean it's automatically a no problem coin, if that's what you're looking for.
then again, I love my NCS $3 princess (thanks robertpr!)
I was also curious if people think if NGC, ANACS, PCGS is better than the other. Just reading a lot of posts I got the feeling the general belief was ...
1. PCGS
2. NGC
3. ???
and so on
I ask this because I notice that it seems that if I take 3 duplicate coins and have them graded by PCGS, NGC, ANACS they will sell on EBay for vastly different amounts. It definately seems that coins from PCGS sell at marked preimums over NGC and Anacs.
individual opinions will probably vary on whether this perception is justified or not, but in general you're not going to get hurt PCGS, NGC, or ANACS
<< <i>Stay away from anything but PCGS, NGC and ANACS. >>
Personally I'd add ICG to this list for coins graded below about MS-64. From what I've seen they tend to be on par with the above for most circulated stuff. Where ICG primarily falters is in severely overgrading coins labelled 65 and up.
<< <i>1. PCGS
2. NGC
3. ???
and so on >>
Many opinions are around....
1. PCGS
2. ANACS
3. ????
Ken
<< <i>Where ICG primarily falters is in severely overgrading coins labelled 65 and up. >>
I would agree with this statement while making the following...
Where NGC primarily falters is in overgrading coins labeled MS60-62. Nearly half that I've looked at recently would go AU55/58 at PCGS. They also have a history of severely overgrading and holdering the most obvious of AT Peace dollars.
PCGS, ANACS, & NGC Certified Coins on My Website.
<< <i>Actually any and all info helps.
I was also curious if people think if NGC, ANACS, PCGS is better than the other. Just reading a lot of posts I got the feeling the general belief was ...
1. PCGS
2. NGC
3. ???
and so on
I ask this because I notice that it seems that if I take 3 duplicate coins and have them graded by PCGS, NGC, ANACS they will sell on EBay for vastly different amounts. It definately seems that coins from PCGS sell at marked preimums over NGC and Anacs. >>
Yes and no. A coin might go 65 at one service 64 at another and sell for a lot more in the 65 holder even though the company is not rated as highly. There is a recent thread about MS65s at one service coming back as MS62s at another. If left in MS65 holders, the coins will sell for a lot more than in the MS62 holders.
There have been other threads about the same coins coming back 63, 64, 65, 66 at the SAME top tier service. Again, the real lesson is to learn how to grade before stepping up to buy coins where the grade makes the price.
For some series there is more consistency than others. For submitters, the dreaded body bag (coin back in a baggy, no grade) hovers like a sword. Then there is turn around time, price to submit, and other customer service considerations.
It also depends on the price level of the coins. For coins over $1000 in value, in my opinion, there really is only the big two with a slight edge to one of them. For coins under $99, I would be willing to roll the dice with a lot more companies. Everyone's budget and comfort level are different. Check the auction archives at the popular sites, Teletrade, Heritage to get real world pricing data. There is no one-size-fits all rule that applies to all coins. A submitter will have a very different viewpoint, as will a dealer selling, as will a collector buying.
Avoid the "kool-aid," learn how to grade, and enjoy the hobby.
While it is true we can rank companies according to reputation, no one can determine the value like your own wallet and your experience in collecting these little orbs. There are volumes of books written, but if you are entering the market just to buy plastics.... pssst, gimme a call, I can hook you up !
PCGS (professional coin grading service) is most trusted because of the integrity of their leadership and unwavering desire to be the best, and let's face it, when you surround yourself with good people in search of perfection, it makes you look even smarter.
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) is an arm of the ANA . They are an upstanding rep for numismatists, as a whole, and do a fair job of policing all of us and an even better job of promotion.
ANACS does a great job of attributing a coin for authenticity, variety, net grade (overall grade , despite problems) and even Problem coins (usually a rare piece that otherwise is JUNK, save for it's rarity)
NCS is a conservation service...... so if you don't like toning, they'll dip it....if it was found via metal detector, they'll soak it in olive oil for you .... And charge a fee.....(but these people are dedicated Numismatists, not shady coin doctors and have built a helluva reputation for giving life to an otherwise "dead" coin)
then there are the others.... buyers beware
ACG, NNC, NMC, PMS, PMS twice, PDMS< thats PMS with a "DAMN" in there....SGS and all them initials will just make you wanna puke
Good you found your way here as this is a good place to study.
Joe
oh, and I nearly didn't wanna tell ya the whole truth cuz I'm greedy, but
PCI has treasures in some instances, too !
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Where NGC primarily falters is in overgrading coins labeled MS60-62. Nearly half that I've looked at recently would go AU55/58 at PCGS. They also have a history of severely overgrading and holdering the most obvious of AT Peace dollars.
I'd also say that a LOT of NGC AU-58s, especially gold, is considerably overgraded. Many of them are 55s and a few I'd even call 53. I've found a few really nice NGC 58s, but most of them are weak for the grade. (Probably most of the better ones have been crossed over.)
And speaking of the AU-58 grade, the most conservative TPG (in my opinion) with the nicest AU-58 coins tends to be ... ICG. I see a higher percentage of legitimate, premium quality "supersliders" in ICG slabs than even for PCGS. Though I suppose we'll be losing a lot of those to crackouts, too.