Was there a moment when PCI graded consistently well?

gyocomgd · May 21, 2008 2:08PM

If so, which generation of holders was it?

clarkbar04 · May 21, 2008 2:09PM

The old "green border" banknote style label holders seem pretty good to me.

BECOKA · May 21, 2008 2:10PM

<< The old "green border" banknote style label holders seem pretty good to me. >>

Not from personal experience but I have heard many collectors I trust say this same thing.

Tyler1924S · May 21, 2008 8:24PM

Those graded most conservatively will usually be found in slabs with the first green border and font style shown below. This style was used by them from 1991 to about 1995 (after Hallmark had used it from 1987-1991). The second green border style label was used until 2001. The font is different/wider, and the banknote pattern is generally darker green. During this time (in my opinion), grading becomes as slack (or "loose") as during the first few years of the gold label.

The gold label begins in 2001. The most overgraded examples I've seen were slabbed during the last few years of the green era (generally, the ones with a 14 digit serial number), through first few years of the gold era label (gold border labels with 9 digit serial numbers). Towards the very end of PCI, particularly with the signature series (purple border), grading tightened back up.

Lincoln Cent in gold label slab graded "MS-65"...

Manorcourtman · May 21, 2008 9:04PM

The only consistent period I have observed was the Hallmark days. I've seen 10 digit Green holders that were net graded and bagged at PCGS. That being said the ten digit green were pretty good overall. When they switched to the 14 digit green holders they were still pretty consistent up to grades of 63-64. Anything 65 or above were loose alot of the time. When they went to 9 digit Green holders they dropped standards out the window. I will not buy a nine digit green holder unless in hand. The Gold holdered slabs are all over the place and generally overgraded and have problem coins not noted on the holder. This is my personal experience which is based on 100's of coins handled/sold. I must also say that the ones left on the market tend to be middle of the road to poorly graded examples as the PCI holders have been picked over quite extensively in the past ten years.

gyocomgd · May 22, 2008 2:03AM

Those are excellent answers, fellas. Thanks very much!
Further questions about when they were overgrading: Did they overgrade consistently, like say, 2 points higher than PCGS would? Or were they truly all over the map. Were even the high-grade examples problem coins on occasion?

TavernTreasures · May 22, 2008 5:08AM

jdillane · May 22, 2008 5:42AM

<<

>>

I have only seen a few of these and IMO the coins were very conservatively graded.

Frankcoins · May 22, 2008 6:12AM

The Bluesheet prices listed for PCI coins, as for all services, assume the WORST POSSIBLE quality examples. Of course, some sellers look only at the number on the slab instead of the coin, making it possible to buy early PCI Morgans which are equal to PCGS MS65s for $60.

By carefully selecting older PCI slabs, we were able to supply our ebay customers with coins every bit as
nice as those graded by the top 2 services at substantial discounts, always with a full return privilege.

We still are subjected to public scorn on the ebay forums calling me a scammer, particularly
from someone named TELEPHOTO1. If anyone knows who this person is, please let me know by
email or PM.

mozin · May 22, 2008 6:44AM

Some good information on this thread. I have only two PCI holdered coins, both the earliest style holder. Maybe I should send them to ANACS for crossover?

roadrunner · May 22, 2008 10:36AM

From what I saw in an early group of PCI buffs from the mid to later 1990's (10 digit holders) the grading was more conservative than that of today. From that I would say that PCI in that era was roughly equivalent to the other top tiered TPG's......believe it or not.

roadrunner

Raybo · May 22, 2008 11:18AM

Raybo · May 22, 2008 11:22AM

Another later slab...

Ray

clarkbar04 · May 22, 2008 11:25AM

That looks pretty good for a 62, what am I missing?

Frankcoins · May 22, 2008 11:56AM

<< That looks pretty good for a 62, what am I missing? >>

The Kool-Aid

PerryHall · May 22, 2008 8:02PM

<< 

<< That looks pretty good for a 62, what am I missing? >>

The Kool-Aid >>

Raybo · May 23, 2008 10:58AM

What about the 1871 2 cent piece?

IMHO, it is way undergraded.

Ray

Tyler1924S · May 23, 2008 11:34AM

<< What about the 1871 2 cent piece?

IMHO, it is way undergraded.

Ray >>

I think the 1934 WLH is an easy 64. Full skirt lines and thumb, really like that one. I'll go AU-55 on the Two Cent.

yellowjacket · May 23, 2008 12:18PM

The only PCI coin I had was a green label "banknote" 1920-D 63RB Lincoln. It's now in a PCGS 64RB holder.

Garrow

Raybo · May 23, 2008 12:59PM

<< 

<< What about the 1871 2 cent piece?

IMHO, it is way undergraded.

Ray >>

I think the 1934 WLH is an easy 64. Full skirt lines and thumb, really like that one. I'll go AU-55 on the Two Cent. >>

The Walker is a beauty Tyler, nairy a mark on her and it's gotta be an easy 64, I bought it WAY before the 2 cent piece.

The Walker was purchased about 11 years ago, and the two center was less than 2 months ago, the slab and schmutz are now caput!

Ray

Was there a moment when PCI graded consistently well?

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