The Grading Services, who to trust?

I know it is not a rare coin, but I have a 1954-S Washington Quarter that I am considering getting slabbed, just to wet my feet a bit. This will be my first coin I will have slabbed, so I know what to expect once I finally get my hands on a 1932-D or 1932-S, and other key dates.

I know that PCGS and NGC are the big dogs, but I don't have a lot of money to toss around. I see a lot of ANACS and ICG slabbed coins on eBay and other sites. Can these guys be as trusted as PCGS and NGC? For instance, would a coin graded F-12 by ICG or ANACS come back G-8 by PCGS or NGC (assuming I broke the coin out of an ICG slab and sent it in.)

Also, what is TPG? Top Pro. Grader?

Thanks

-Rob.

 

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TPG - Third Party Grading

I only stick to NGC and PCGS coins. I'll let others with experience in other companies chime in.

 

I think, based on comments before on this forum that NGC and PCGS are the two to go to if you want to have a graded coin that holds it's value. That being said, you will probably want to have 5 coins to submit at one time, not one. The cost of doing just one will be a lot. You have to get the coin to the graders, and then they send it back registered mail. So that usually runs at least 22.00 for the mail one way. The grading for one coin is more than for 5 coins (per coin) and you will want to have US separate from World coins.

Unless your 1954 S quarter is like a MS 69, I wouldn't do that just to get your feet wet. But of course, it's up to you. Most people here don't recommend getting a coin slabbed unless it's value is at least 100.00.

I say, enjoy your coin unslabbed for now. Maybe when you get four more, if you still want it slabbed, then put it in with the rest.

 

NGC and PCGS are chosen more because they are supposed to be more strict with grading. I think more people choose ANACS just to authenticate a coin.

 

NGC, PCGS, and CoinTalk

 

Let's start making CoinTalk slabs :devil:

 

Wetting your feet a bit? Go with ANACS. It won't cost you a bundle and you'll have a coin slabbed by a reputable service. Keep in mind what others have said (written) in this thread........

 

I think this is a pretty good idea. They aren't the best grading service and in the past few years their quality has declined, but if you want to "get your feet wet" they aren't terrible and not too expensive. Personally, I believe that PCGS and NGC are the only "good" grading companies...but I think for your purpose ANACS is fine.

 

The real question is, who not to trust? there are alot of untrustworthy grading companies, so you have to watch out for them.

 

Since you don't have a lot of money to "throw around" you might want to ask yourself WHY are you spending money to have the coin certified. If it is just to get your feet wet then maybe you don't mind throwing money around if you know what I mean. I think this is a good question because if you aren't selling the coin then why bother slabbing it? If you are concerned about the coin safety there are other ways of storing a coin that are a LOT cheaper.

Also, even if you wanted to sell it sometimes it is NOT worth slabbing regardless. What do you think your coin is worth (grade)? If it is just a well-worn example you might be wasting you dough.

jom

 

I sent a 1915 Lincoln Cent to ANACS today. My first time ever sending a coin to a TPG. My (OUCH) costs:

5 Day Service= $29.00
Postage= $5.35
Registered Mail Fee (Which is what ANACS advised)= $13.50
Shipping cost to have coin returned to me= $20.00

TOTAL: I'm not even going to add it up. I don't feel so well right now. Excuse me.

 

That's just ridiculous 2schnauzers... makes me never want to bother getting my coins graded, unless I have something in the hundreds of dollars in value

 

I think that schnauzer's post above with the cost rundown says it all. Unless you have a coin whose REAL VALUE is more than $100, it is not even close to worth it to have it slabbed. By REAL value, I mean what it is worth to an actual person, not what it says in a book. If a book lists a coin at $100, but you can buy it by looking around for $50-60, it's not a $100 coin .. it's a $50-60 coin. With the cost of TPG'ing your out-of-pocket (including the purchase price) expenses will be more than the coin will ever be worth. Put your coin in a 2X2 and save yourself $40-50 to buy another 6-7 coins just like the one that you have now.

 

Schnauzer could have lessened the cost by $15 per coin if he had waited until he had a 5-coin minimum. What was the big rush to have that single coin certified?

http://www.anacs.com/contentPages/Services.aspx

Chris

 

Thanks 2Schnauzers2love for the breakdown. It takes courage to post that. Hope you enjoy that cent.

 

If you're not a dealer and don't plan on selling your coins, why bother getting them slabbed? To me you're just wasting your time and money.

The OP said, "but I don't have a lot of money to toss around" which is every reason not to send a coin off to get slabbed. You said this is a 54-S Quarter? That's like a $30-$40 coin tops if it comes back as MS65 or higher. That alone isn't worth slabbing as well. Why not just be happy with the coin and not whatever slab/grade it got shoved in?

 

If you join the ANA, you get submission privileges to NGC included as part of the membership package.
I like NGC but the market seems to prefer PCGS, for reasons that escape me.
I personally will not submit a coin for grading unless it's worth at least $100.

 

I like Dougs answer as the first part no matter what - learn grading and what you like. At the same time I would ask what are you going to collect and how you are going to collect(raw or certified)? I know you mentioned a washington quarter and if that is what you are going to collect then decide how. If you want certified coins by them already certified - it will save you money in the long run. If you want raw - then buy them raw or certified(and crack them out). I have several sets I am working and the two biggies(my favorites) are raw. The IHC and two cent collections are graded - and I buy them already graded. Now on the IHC's I did send several in for grading - did okay on them, but I also knew the grading fee was worth it since they were semi-keys. Those have since been upgraded, but replace with purchased graded coins. Just something to think about.

 

Unless I am sure it would grade MS67 or higher, I would wait until I had a batch to send in. Also, I would only pay for standard service. Not everthing has to be "microwaved" unless you're expecting to kick the bucket really soon.