What Are The Big 3 Grading Companies

Thanks, but I really am not going to be submitting coins on a regular basis and don't really want to have to pay a membership fee on top of the fee for each coin graded. Does anyone have good or bad news regarding ANACS?

ANACS is generally considered part of the top 3. ICG and DGS are also considered legit. PCGS and NGC/NCS are clearly the top service providers available.

I own coins certified by all of the above except DGS. IMHO, there is a noticeable difference in standards when moving from PCGS/NGC to ANACS/ICG and the price paid should be adjusted accordingly. Down a notch that is, if you buy ANACS/ICG slabbed coins.

Just a note. Anacs has been around the longest and also does the
varieties etc. PCGS does varieties also. Even though it is the grader
not the co., as graders at times go from one co. to the another, I think anacs is the best bet for occassional users as there are no memberships etc. you have to pay extra for and they still belong to the top 3. I like their variety labeling on the slabs better than pcgs. NGC lately has seemed to be going downhill with their graders.
I have seen a lot of innacurate grades. O.k. I guess for slab owners
as their standards have dropped. I recently purchased then sold very quickly, two older silver eagles. They were slabbed at MS-69. When I looked at them I could not beleive it. They both were a mess. In reality they barely made BU. Oh well, the slab sold the coin.

The dealers I have spoken to tells me that PCGS has been overgrading their coins lately and NGC has become more stricter with it grades. That can be good or bad depending on what side of the coin your on. That was just a little numistmahumor. Funny No ?