Grading Companies

I've never really kept up with the price differences between the grading companies, but I can tell you that we sell A LOT more storage boxes for PCGS slabs than any other type. NGC boxes come in a distant second place. So, for whatever reason I'd have to say that more people have PCGS slabbed coins.

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I have basically noticed that graded coins draw the highes prices if they are a PCGS, followed by NGC, then a ways behind IGC. Is this accurate?

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Renovo, that is correct, BUT, as Ken pointed out, I think the consensus would put ANACS third, and ICG possibly fourth. Some are fans of ICG, but I think we just had a picture or two floating around that wasn't a very good slab by them with the grade given.

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I have found a coin on ebay that I have looked for for awhile now and it is an ICG 70 ( I realize 70 is perfect). I have also noticed most TV shows sell ICG, which makes me nervous, should I stay clear of a certain grading company?

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Ding Ding Ding. You hit the nail on the head. Not to mention that places like ICG and NGC are giving out way too many 70's. Most folks here would probably tell you to stick with the 69's. If there is a difference between the two, I'm not sure many can find it. Besides the price tag of course!!

What I do for the TPG's that aren't the big three (PCGS, NGC, and ANACS), is compare the price to the RedBook. Then I take off about 3-4 points depending on how good the pictures are and check the price again. If it falls in the lower grade price range, sometimes I will take the bait and buy. I will never pay RedBook value for someone not in the top two, unless the photos are awesome, and I get other opinions. Hope this helps.

Tighe

I stand corrected. Thanks Flaminio

I myself like the NGC coins.I have both but I think I prefer NGC over PCGS.

Ironman, your comment reminds me of an experience I had with PCGS. It might be a bit of a digression, but I think it's worth sharing.

About 2 years ago I sent a 1932-D quarter to PCGS for grading. What I really wanted was assurance that my coin was authentic, since there are a lot of fake 1932-D quarters out there. The coin was body-bagged with the explanation that it had been cleaned. This surprised me since this was a well-circulated coin with no obvious sign of cleaning. I emailed PCGS and asked whether my coin was a cleaned, genuine 1932-D or a cleaned, fake 1932-D. They replied that they always look for cleaning first and if they decide a coin is cleaned they don't check for authenticity. I wrote back and complained that their policy seemed unfair. They authenticate every coin they slab, right? They keep the grading fee when they reject a coin, so why not at least offer an opinion about authenticity? They are already saving money on a reject since they don't have to slab it or provide a guarantee. They never answered that email.

I eventually sent the coin to ICG since that service at least will give a partial refund if a coin is rejected for cleaning. They reported that my quarter was an altered 1932-P with an added D mintmark. Fortunately, there was a happy ending. I went back to the dealer that sold the coin to me. He believed my story, apologized profusely for not detecting the alteration himself, and exchanged it for another, genuine 1932-D (kudos to honest dealer Main Street Coins in Visalia, CA!).

I still like PCGS because coins in their slabs often seem easier to sell and are likely to bring higher prices. However, I don't expect much from them in terms of customer service.