Igc Thoughts

I personally would not even consider an IGC slab. PCGS then NGC and then ANACS. I am sure you got your IGC super cheap cheap for a good reason.
John1

Yeah, ICG, I find myself typing faster than my mind can output.
I'm always changing TGP to TPG too.
Sometimes I feel these slabs are "Third Grade Parties".

We'll see how it's graded when it arrives.
I want a nice Sacagawea dollar set, but not at top tier TPG price....hence the attraction to ICG.
If these come through pretty nice, I'll be impressed. We'll see if these look better than I can find in the raw.

My 2 ICG slabs came in today.
To recap, Sacagawea dollars in ICG holders MS-68 2002 P&D.

I paid $4.95 for each one and $2.00 in shipping, that's $6.00 for a slabbed coin in an high MS condition.

First I have to say, I do like the ICG slab. It stacks nice and feels good in the hand. The curves on the side are a natural fit for when holding the coin. The lack of seeing the edge of the coin is a bummer in this slab.

Now to grading.
If ICG is using the Sheldon scale with no magnification, I would agree and say they can be MS68.
These coins are later strike looking to me too.

Here is MS68 per Sheldon Scale "Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than four light scattered contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks show."

Again, I would agree with no magnification.
BUT...put this under magnification, 10x is what I use, we drop a few grades.

Here is Sheldons MS65 "Coin shows an attractive high quality of luster and strike for the date and mint. A few small scattered contact marks, or two larger marks may be present, and one or two small patches of hairlines may show under magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks may show on the high points of the design features. Overall quality is above average and overall eye appeal is very pleasing."

With my 10x I see MS64/66ish

Simply my observation, take out of it what you will.
So, after seeing these, I feel I may be able to find better raw and for around the same price.
I would be forgoing the protection of a slab for possibly a grade or 2 higher in raw.
We'll see, it's how I learn.

Maybe I should get these same coins from NGC and PCGS and do a side by side.

I knew you would ask, I wouldn't keep you all hanging.

Taking photos through a slab is a whole different ballgame...holy-cow.

Here are the 2 coins.

The D Obv has the most issues.
Above G in God is a hit.
Above 02 is 3 small hits.
Her cheek has no wear, just fine hits.
The high area of the baby carrier has fine hits.
Anything else you see that looks like a hit or weird is the slab.

The P is much nicer.
A hit right on the middle of the cheek.
A light hit on the babies forehead.
NO contact marks what so ever on cheek bones or high points of baby carrier.
Below TR in trust is a black mark, not a scratch.
Anything else you see that looks like a hit or weird is the slab.

There it is.
Fire away

Reverses aside, I could go 65-66 for the D-P images. The Philadelphia coin is actually pretty nice but the few marks are in prominent locations. I like these guys with Classics but they're lost in space with Moderns. And it doesn't help that many of these issues are Condition Rarities in high MS grades, making it even harder on their rep.

ICG is anomalous to me. They're honest, learned numismatists - Randy Campbell and Skip Fazzari don't need to take a back seat to anyone in terms of industry rep - but they're clueless with Moderns.

To differ slightly, BStrauss, MS68 is all but unobtainable with most Modern Business Strikes. The huge production volume prevents the softer handling which preserves surfaces. I wouldn't be surprised if most Classic issues show higher percentages of Superb Gems than most Moderns.

A true 68 or better Modern Business Strike (as opposed to "MS" NIFC's) is, in most cases, a solid long-term hold whose scarcity will guarantee added value once the issue becomes "older" in the perception of collectors. I recommend them without hesitation for those taking an investment position in coins - with due diligence to narrow down the truly scarce dates/MM's - and that's coming from someone who doesn't care for Moderns.

As a general rule the TPG's do not use a magnifier when grading. If they do it is usually a 3X to 5X loupe.