History Of Banknote Certification Service

This is a good question & something I've given little thought. One of the reasons I rarely gave it much thought was because I was quite a hard nosed opponent to TPG up until about 5-6 years ago.

The BCS site http://www.banknotecertification.com/index.php provides no details as to when it opened shop so I searched the Canadian Paper Money Forum (CPMF) and found the following entry.
https://cdnpapermoney.com/index.php?topic=6728.0
CPMF posts on TPG from 2007 make no mention of BCS but the member "polarbear" mentions him in January of 2008 so I would surmise that BCS started some time in 2007. There was a lot of buzz about Canadian grading standards vs US standards in 2007 & I've heard him state that he started the certifying because he recognized the need for a CDN service.

I have had two separate bulk lots graded by Mr. Bell. I would say he is indeed conservative but very professional & probably a "collector's grader" if there was such an expression. Don't expect a note to be given a generous grade. Once he's slabbed a note you may feel he's been a bit harsh but at least you will feel pretty confident that each note has been graded as objectively/thorough as possible. Others may disagree with me- but I've felt that he's very honest and does his best to give you the "straight goods." He will assess a note prior to grading (saving you money- if you're worried about a particular note/whether it should be graded) free of charge. He's been an excellent communicator with me. Unfortunately, he does not certify world banknotes because his fees are much more reasonable than shipping notes to PMG (& paying their fees in USD).

I was sold on his skills a few years ago while attending an RCNA workshop on grading. Yes, he's with Colonial Acres but I don't think that has any bearing on how he grades (rather makes it convenient if you drive there).

You're most welcomed. Always enjoy yakking (or posting) about CDN banknotes.

Not everyone shares my views on Mr Bell's grading skills:
See: https://cdnpapermoney.com/index.php?topic=15705.0 which a member complains that DOC 1878 $1 is way over graded by BCS (should NOT have received EF40).

I disagreed because the note has no "Original" designation which is actually HUGE. If you've been collecting for a while you can appreciate the fundamental differences between a note that is "Original" (EPQ, PPQ untouched or "undoctored") compared to one that has been pressed, cleaned or restored in anyway whatsoever.

I will never forget the look Don Olmstead (one of Canada's top/finest dealers) gave me when he looked at a 1935 $10 I picked up that was clearly pressed (& likely washed). He asked me, 'Look at that note carefully. Now, do you really think that nothing has been done to make it look nicer?" He was always so patient with me! Anyway- I digress.




Yes- my experience has been Gem UNC66 is his cap. I've usually received 2 out of 50 notes with that grade (so about 4%). I've hand plucked notes from bundles/bricks and the majority have come back UNC62-UNC64. In fact, I'm almost ecstatic if it doesn't get an UNC60! It can be frustrating I must admit. I even got a 2017 Commemorative $10 with UNC 64 & no "Original." I called him & he told me the note had a nick in the polymer so he couldn't give it that designation. So- that is why I would ascribe BCS as the "collector's grader" (he protects collectors from getting over graded/flawed banknotes) but he can be hard on the seller.

I've heard some collectors say he grades about 2-4 points lower than PMG in the UNC grades but that he is usually a slightly more lenient in the lower grades.