How far would you trust SEGS?

Zoins · October 27, 2007 1:32AM

There's been some talk about granting SEGS an exception to eBay policies like the PINA slabs (PCGS, ICG, NGC, ANACS).

Would you trust SEGS for this 1860 Clark Gruber Eagle SEGS 5348611381822464707?

Why is that in a SEGS slab instead of PCGS or NGC which seems to be common for territorial gold?

Barndog · October 27, 2007 1:38AM

I don't trust them

MidLifeCrisis · October 27, 2007 1:40AM

"How far would you trust SEGS?"

Not very far at all.

messydesk · October 27, 2007 1:41AM

I would trust that it's real.

Barndog · October 27, 2007 1:41AM

<< I would trust that it's real. >>

that's more than I trust, fwiw

19Lyds · October 27, 2007 2:14AM

SInce SGS grade 2 to 3 points on the high side, I don't think their slabs should be allowed under the certified section!

I think certified should be defined first, other wise it opens the doors for a whole slew of bogus coins in slabs being slummed off as "certified"!

WaterSport · October 27, 2007 2:15AM

My only problem with them besides being a grade or two over-graded is that they can not distinguish a cleaned coin. This is a good example..
WS

TextStart at 1915 and go down

doh · October 27, 2007 2:23AM

SEGS is one of the worst. I'd probably send my coins to ACG before them.

Barbercoin · October 27, 2007 2:31AM

I picked up a coin a couple of years ago, which I thought they graded accurately. However, I not looked very closely at their standards since.

jamesfsm · October 27, 2007 2:43AM

I for one find SEGS reasonably good for what they do. SEGS has a great holder, slabs near anything and often is the most picky about denoting "cleaning." SEGS may grade 1-2 points high but their attribution and holder are good and SEGS catches most cleaned coins (which is a useful service to many new collectors).

Mowgli · October 27, 2007 3:35AM

I would not grant SEGS an exception for eBay. I have seen how they grade Barber halves enough that I no longer look at any in a SEGS holder.

Connecticoin · October 27, 2007 3:37AM

<How far would you trust SEGS>

About as far as I could throw a Yap Island coin.

Wolf359 · October 27, 2007 4:01AM

SEGS is a real company, and should be allowed on eBay as certified. Anyone who says otherwise, just hasn't dealt with SEGS enough. For example, how many MS66/MS67/MS68 coins do you see in SEGS holders? Almost none. I believe I've only seen one MS66 Morgan in a SEGS holder and I've never seen anything higher.

Attribution, holder, authentication, counterfeit detection are as good as anyone. Grading is sometimes high, but seems to stop dead at MS65, and their standards for problem
coins are looser than PCGS/NGC/and ANACS. That being said, I've crossed coins from SEGS at the same grade at PCGS and others have outright bagged. MS60 and 61 are tricky grades in SEGS holders. I crossed my 1878 7/8 TF VAM-44 from a SEGS MS61 to a PCGS AU58, it's easily a $10,000 coin.

For buying SEGS on eBay, have a return policy in place beforehand. I would advise looking hard at the coin in person before deciding if it's a keeper for you.

PerryHall · October 27, 2007 4:04AM

I would trust but verify by examining the coin, same as all the other grading services.

PerryHall · October 27, 2007 4:05AM

<< SEGS is one of the worst. I'd probably send my coins to ACG before them. >>

Are you kidding?

OPA · October 27, 2007 4:09AM

<< SInce SGS grade 2 to 3 points on the high side, I don't think their slabs should be allowed under the certified section!

I think certified should be defined first, other wise it opens the doors for a whole slew of bogus coins in slabs being slummed off as "certified"! >>

SGS slabs only 2 to 3 points high? I've yet to see one that's less than 5 points high...

SEGS on the other hand .. on the same par as ACG..2 - 3 points high.

JRocco · October 27, 2007 4:10AM

SEGS, SMEGS or PEGS....

I look at the coin, say I see a nice AU 50 coin that I would want...I would be a buyer of the coin for AU 50 money no matter what the slab says or no matter who slabbed the coin.

If the coin is an AU 50 and is in the ultimate company's plastic, but is selling for high AU money--I pass

If the coin is an AU 50 and is in the SMEGS or PEGS plastic, but selling for AU 50 money...I buy it.

mrearlygold · October 27, 2007 4:19AM

What's MS-60 worth? AU-58?

cmerlo1 · October 27, 2007 4:19AM

Treat the coin as if it's raw...

Wolf359 · October 27, 2007 4:24AM

<< 

<< SInce SGS grade 2 to 3 points on the high side, I don't think their slabs should be allowed under the certified section!

I think certified should be defined first, other wise it opens the doors for a whole slew of bogus coins in slabs being slummed off as "certified"! >>

SGS slabs only 2 to 3 points high? I've yet to see one that's less than 5 points high...

SEGS on the other hand .. on the same par as ACG..2 - 3 points high. >>

And you're completely wrong from my experience. I've given examples, let's see yours.

MrHalfDime · October 27, 2007 4:32AM

"SEGS, SMEGS or PEGS....

I look at the coin, say I see a nice AU 50 coin that I would want...I would be a buyer of the coin for AU 50 money no matter what the slab says or no matter who slabbed the coin.

If the coin is an AU 50 and is in the ultimate company's plastic, but is selling for high AU money--I pass

If the coin is an AU 50 and is in the SMEGS or PEGS plastic, but selling for AU 50 money...I buy it."

This comment makes more sense than anything else I have read on this thread. Buy the coin, not the holder. You can always crack it out when you get home.

Boom · October 27, 2007 4:37AM

No return - no dice. Generally speaking I allow for at least a 3 pt difference but have managed to find some nice cherries

that were cracked out and did make the target grade.

It just all depends. Even a blind Hog finds an acorn every now & then.

DMWJR · October 27, 2007 4:42AM

I'm with Wolf359, but you always need to judge a coin as if it is raw, and if buying before having it in hand, make sure there is a reasonable return policy.

Unknown · October 27, 2007 4:44AM

This content has been removed.

robkool · October 27, 2007 4:45AM

What about PCI ??? I don't see nothing wrong with them...

Boom · October 27, 2007 4:53AM

If one can thoroughly examine any coin in hand, cherries can be found in any slab, same as over-graded junk.

doh · October 27, 2007 4:53AM

<< << SEGS is one of the worst. I'd probably send my coins to ACG before them. >> >>

<< Are you kidding? >>

Well, sort of, but just barely. I think all the people on here who say SEGS is a "real company" and blah blah just dislike PCGS and their fees and bodybags. That being said, I do believe in buying the coin not the holder, but if a coin (especially an expensive one) is in a SEGS holder there is a reason it's not in a PCGS/NGC holder. That's why I don't bother with SEGS.

oxy8890 · October 27, 2007 4:58AM

<< 

<< 

<< SInce SGS grade 2 to 3 points on the high side, I don't think their slabs should be allowed under the certified section!

I think certified should be defined first, other wise it opens the doors for a whole slew of bogus coins in slabs being slummed off as "certified"! >>

SGS slabs only 2 to 3 points high? I've yet to see one that's less than 5 points high...

SEGS on the other hand .. on the same par as ACG..2 - 3 points high. >>

And you're completely wrong from my experience. I've given examples, let's see yours. >>

I have had only one experience with SEGS. I purchased a 1926 Lincoln in MS66RD SEGS holder, cracked it, sent it to PCGS and it came back MS63RD.

Barry · October 27, 2007 6:22AM

Don't trust any grading service that doesn't guarantee their work.

lkenefic · October 27, 2007 6:38AM

I think it depends upon what you want from a "slabbing" service. If I pay to have a coin slabbed... it should be slabbed..Period. At that point I don't care what the service places on the label..cleaned...counterfeit...whizzed...corroded...some guess as to grade...etc...whatever... If I pay for authentication...that's a different story. If I pay for accurate grading...that's an entirely different question. I think some confuse "slabbed" with: ...This coin is authentic AND accurately graded.

As for the posters original question. I take SEGS slabs like any other slab... it's a piece of plastic. I'm buying coins...not plastic. That being said however, I've purchased [and cracked out] more coins in PCGS, ANACS and NGC plastic than I have in SEGS plastic.

BigRed · October 27, 2007 6:39AM

I think Larry Briggs owns SEGS, at least he started it. Does anyone know if he does all the grading or does he have a crew to help him? He is sometimes at shows by himself and usually seems to be pretty busy.

GrumpyEd · October 27, 2007 6:46AM

<< Don't trust any grading service that doesn't guarantee their work. >>

Without a guarantee I'd only trust what I see in hand.

I have 2 recent examples of low priced SEGS coins I ended up with.
One was attributed wrong by SEGS but graded correctly.
The other was attributed correctly by SEGS and graded AU58 but it crossed to PCGS and upgraded as MS62 RB.

So you can get a good coin in their holder or a bad one so look at it before you buy it.

StampAlarm · October 27, 2007 6:50AM

I've never had a problem with SEGS in identifying and properly labeling problem coins.

Jerry

mozin · October 27, 2007 7:14AM

<< My opinion on SEGS, they appear to be a small mom and pop grading company that has awesome holders (structurally speaking and fine for letting light in like PCGS) and seems from my experience to attribute well, show the problems, and unfotunatelu overgrade by a couple of points at times. But then I feel NGC overgrades regularly and PCGS makes their own share of mistakes. If I find a SEGS coin that I am interested in I would buy it, I consider them to be under ANACS in order: PCGS, NGC, ICG, ANACS, and SEGS. >>

Thanks again for writing much as I believe to be the case. I only own one SEGS coin, worth about $100. I do not believe SEGS should be allowed on ebay as one the the accepted grading services.

I do not know if Larry Briggs is any longer "actively" connected with SEGS. It is my impression that he is only listed as a consultant for SEGS advertising purposes.

messydesk · October 27, 2007 7:55AM

<< I think Larry Briggs owns SEGS, at least he started it. Does anyone know if he does all the grading or does he have a crew to help him? He is sometimes at shows by himself and usually seems to be pretty busy. >>

He's still involved with the grading and attribution, which is why I said earlier that I'd trust that the subject coin is authentic. He's always busy at shows between SEGS business and his coin business, and is one of those people that thrive on 3-4 hours of sleep per night.

icsoccer · October 27, 2007 8:55AM

I go with trust & verify. They are a real company and as such ebay should allow them in.

pontiacinf · October 27, 2007 9:16AM

SEGS rocks when it comes down to hard to find FS examples of Jeffersons in ruff 50's like 54-S

I have yet to find a BADLY graded jeff in a SEGS slab

pontiacinf · October 27, 2007 9:16AM

also, SEGS has the best slab around IMHO

Deadhorse · October 27, 2007 9:26AM

Not real fond of them.

My experience is mostly based on Merc dimes. I've seen far too many given the FSB designation and I don't need a loop to see it's nowhere close.

JMO.

leothelyon · October 27, 2007 9:41AM

I would add 2 points for clarity, subtract two points for an ugly slab, add a point for brilliance but divide by 3 if I disliked some letters of the alphabet! That's it, now I'm a real experienced coin collector!

Leo

GoldenEyeNumismatics · October 27, 2007 9:57AM

<< SEGS is one of the worst. I'd probably send my coins to ACG before them. >>

I strongly disagree. Although SEGS is not a TPG, they are multitudes better than companies like ACG. SEGS is a real company, and often are only 1 or 2 points higher. They often will declare any problems on coins as well.

PerryHall · October 27, 2007 9:59AM

<< Although SEGS is not a TPG, ......... >>

I don't think you meant to say this.

seatedcollector · October 27, 2007 10:11AM

probably no more than i trust larry briggs will ever send me a copy of his quarter book that i bought (from him personally) a few years ago at a coin show, polite reminders were sent via email, fax and telephone, heard nothing in return, i have a nice AU-58 1838 small stars dime in a SEGS slab labeled a large stars variety, and another SEGS holder that is all wrong as well, i can understand a mistake, but a company of purported seated specialists should be able to tell a large stars from a small stars in the dark ! im not a purveyor of plastic, SEGS should be allowed because i believe they can tell a phony coin from a real one or at least id like to think so, grading and variety attribution is something again.

jfoot13 · October 27, 2007 10:14AM

I love the holder with the info on the end .. the customer service has always been excellent .. and they have always made me feel as if my business was important. I had a question about an attribution and got a phone call from Larry Briggs to explain it... the grading most of the time is close.. a little generous on the circ keys and really tight on the MS65's and up... now on the other hand the 2 times I called PCGS they made me feel like they wanted to put preperation H on me and make me go away..... In any event the coin is what it is and the plastic dosen't change that... all and all I have no problem using or recommending SEGS... but that's just me

Wolf359 · October 27, 2007 1:01PM

<< probably no more than i trust larry briggs will ever send me a copy of his quarter book that i bought (from him personally) a few years ago at a coin show, polite reminders were sent via email, fax and telephone, heard nothing in return, i have a nice AU-58 1838 small stars dime in a SEGS slab labeled a large stars variety, and another SEGS holder that is all wrong as well, i can understand a mistake, but a company of purported seated specialists should be able to tell a large stars from a small stars in the dark ! im not a purveyor of plastic, SEGS should be allowed because i believe they can tell a phony coin from a real one or at least id like to think so, grading and variety attribution is something again. >>

Larry is so busy he forgets things. Call him right before a big show you plan to attend, and he'll probably bring it.

seatedcollector · October 27, 2007 4:50PM

i already bought one on the bay, i did contact by phone, email, and fax, no response, not even a "what the hell are you talking about" i do understand that people get busy, and being an unorganized mess probably doesnt help any

Mowgli · October 28, 2007 2:13AM

I talked with Larry Briggs before he started SEGS. One of his main goals was to have a better holder that showed the edges of the coins and his new holder does that. The list of experts in the company made me feel that they should attribute coins pretty well but being an expert doesn't seem to include accurate grading. I think the reason you don't see coins beyond MS 65 is that if you really have such a coin, why would you submit it to a 3d teir TPG knowing it will bring more money in someone else's plastic. For coins with edge lettering they would be the best choice if they had kept the grading bar even with the 1st teir TPGs.

How far would you trust SEGS?

Comments

The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

My Jefferson Nickel Collection

Leave a Comment