I agree with DW-coins that PCGS is very inconsistent when grading modern coins and as a result I submit all my modern issues to NGC - PCGS may hold a premium in some cases, but when it comes to PCGS-70 vs NGC-70 the premium is in the single digits. About two years ago (when I stopped submitting to PCGS because of the grading inconsistencies, poor customer service, and arrogant attitude of certain high-level execs) I broke out about a dozen First Spouse and Platinum Eagle 69s and submitted them to NGC - of those, about 80% came back as 70s! I also had looked at all these coins BEFORE submitting to PCGS with a 8x lighted magnifyer and saw no reason that any of these should have been 69s in the first place (if I see a reason that a coin would come back a 69, I usually just sell it raw with the OGP).
PCGS has done a good job of creating a grand illusion with smoke and mirrors. It is a case of the fantasy being much better than the reality. Ask yourself this question: Why would you prefer a company that employs a practice that is at best a marketing gimmick and at worst deceptive. I am speaking of the "first strike" designation, which is laughable, as even the mint cannot with certainty identify which coins were struck first. It is a house of cards which will someday fall.
Don't they have another hustle where they arm you for a few more bucks then they stick a little oval metallic green sticker on their slabbed coins? For a few years I was buying new issue gold bullion from APMEX and MCM. The difference in price in bullion for the same grade between NGC & PCGS is only a few bucks. I assume the few bucks more for PCGS coins was due to the higher cost to grade with PCGS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-25TH-ANNIVERSARY-SILVER-EAGLE-5-COIN-SET-NGC-PF69-MS69-EARLY-RELEASES-/360410636754?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ea25e1d2&autorefresh=true#ht_1764wt_1165
MS/PF 70's trading for $2400 this morning - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-25th-A...dividual&hash=item53ea266edd&autorefresh=true
Maybe yes, maybe no. If these sets manage to hit their predicted high of $4000 (see HERE) then I'd say $2400 is a heck of a bargain!
I thought the number of sets on ebay might start dieing down. Was surprised to go there and see 15 pages worth tonight.
A lot of sets have been graded. and a lot will be. between all the PCGS,NGC,ANACS I wonder how many raw sets with the OGP will still exists .
Based on the most recent PCGS stats posted here http://www.cointalk.com/t194908/ in post #41, about 65% of these sets are getting 70's. If this rate continues, I don't think there'll be many left in OGP.