Opinions On ICG

If you don't know the grade and the $9 includes slabbing I would definitely pay it because you will have a grade and more importantly the coin will be protected. No holder - it's up to you.

I have bought several coins graded by ICG because of how the coin looked to me and compared it to the same graded coin in PCGS and NGC holders and because in fact they sell for less money. I have even bought 1 each of the same date & grade Morgan dollars from all the top 4 grading services to compare. Truth of the matter is I have compared same grade coins from all the services and ICG compares with the purported top 3. Also I am a collector not a professional grader but I have seen many PCGS & NGC graded coins that I wouldn't buy at the grade given and some that are terrible looking.

I personally am buying the coin not the holder(crack the coin out and what do you have), but that's precisely what people are doing with PCGS and NGC especially. For example early release and first strike. According to the US mint they produce many coins before they are released or shipped in order to get a substantial amount on hand. That means if the mint is at all efficient the first strike coins will be stored first or on the bottom of the produced coins as more and more are struck. Common sense then dictates that the first coins released are taken from the top of the stored coins and are possibly some of the last coins struck. The mint though has improved quality control to the point where most of the coins are really nice and changes the die fairly often so a first mailed or released coin could actually be a first strike from a replacement die but not from the original mintage.

Think about it, one of the last coins sold or mailed to the public is likely to be the first coin struck.

Just saying.

Stick with PCGS or NGC...they're easier to sell. Ultimately, one should follow that tired old cliche, "buy the coin, not the holder." I'd rather have the nice coin in a PCGS holder. Who actually seeks out ICG graded coins? I don't know anyone that does.

ICG is a joke. It adds no value over that of a raw coin. You'd be better off paying for a certification that adds value.

I agree with design creeper. I have had coins graded with ICG for the past 5 years. Probably the main issue that ICG is guilty of is poor marketing. Most people on this forum who collect higher end coins will be looking for investment. Yes at this point in time PCGS coins are more than NGC which are more wanted than ANACS then ICG. But I buy from stacks and heritage I find no difference in premiums. REAL Collectors will be paying for the COIN not the holder. As stated in a previous post. Amongst the top tier graders it was the caretakers of the rare Parmelee/ Reed 1804 silver dollar who chose ICG TO GRADE THE DOLLAR, then placed in a museum. But as always everyone is entitled. I am happy with ICG

Child of the wheat, I yield to your expertise . I do not claim to be an expert just really pointing out a fact, credit be given to the chosen grading co. Again, to each his own.

Sorry - posted in wrong topic

You can find icg coins substantially cheaper than their counterparts- ie 1921 P peace dollar- ms65 icg was 800$. Thats 2000$ plus in anacs/PCGS/NGC. WHY? Because its really an ms64 coin- and 800$ is about right for ms64. I crossed it over and sent it in 3x and it came back 64 every single time. So? You might think you are paying less for icg coins- but you are really paying what they are worth- but not based on the label. I would never spend a lot of money on an icg coin without a return option and or having a few people I trusted looking at it. I think you will find its either overgraded or- completely missed the boat. I had another one- a morgan- I forget the year- ms61. It had been buffed- there was not a single bag mark- not one. Yet- they didn't mark it "details"- they just graded it 61. So there are some very strange happenings sometimes in ICG. However, I do like their holders, and I have some Indian cents that appear to be properly graded if not conservatively, - its like anything- buy the coin not the holder.