The Grading Services, who to trust?

Also, look at the posts titled "guess the grade". It will help you gain knowlege so you can more accurately grade your own coins. I find that far more often that I care to see, people over grade coins. This can be a great disappointment if you decide to sell and find out you're over estimating by even just one or two grades. In some cases it can mean thousands of dollars.

 

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go with these guys they are real good. :devil:

 

Doug took the words out of my mouth! I'm glad I read to the end of a thread before responding because it's almost word for word what I was thinking.

If you'd like to know for the future how PCGS grades Washingtons, look at slabbed Washingtons! You don't have enough money (or likely coins) to gain enough experience to learn what you are asking. Expose yourself to what you want to know! Look at 32-Ds and Ss. On some dates grading companies' standards may be "adjusted" for lack of a better term. Some dates are struck better than others and that will affect overall grade.

But by all means, don't try to learn from your coins, look at already slabbed coins and get an eye for what an MS-65 32-D looks like. It makes it a lot easier to spot one if you know exactly what one looks like.

 

I personally do not trust PCGS and would never deal with them under any circumstances until Don Willis is no longer associated with them in any manner whatsoever!
:dead-horse:
Other people think PCGS is the cat's pajama, so you pays your money and you takes your choice.
I prefer NGC.
ANACS is good for slabbing less valuable varieties.
I have several Roosevelt dime varieties in old ANACS slabs and feel they are graded properly.
Older ANACS slabs are generally quite accurately graded and can offer you a good value IF you already know how to properly grade coins.
ICG remains in the running because, for reasons known only to them, eBay has annointed them one of the "acceptable" TPGs.
I wouldn't send my coins to them for any reason.
Like the ANACS coins, you can get a good bargain in an ICG slab if you know how to grade.

 

This, IMO, is a great answer!

 

Sounds good to me. You supply the sample coins and I'll prep some 2 part epoxy and print the address label.

 

Submitting your first coin for grading is a unique experience. It's a fun ride, but it will take you through several emotions before it's over. I hope that the coin grades as you expect. Be sure to post the grade and hopefully pics when it comes back.

 

Name: Cointalk's Coin Collectors' Collection Certification Corporation (CCCCCC)

Try saying my idea for the name 5 times fast...

 

lkdsajf;weiorj;waoiejf;iosjf

/rage

 

Hey guys n gals, thanks a ton for you answers. I really appreciate all the advice! I think the next time I find myself at a coin store or show I will do the 'look, guess, verify.' method that GDJMSP suggested. I was examining my 54-S closely tonight and I DO feel very confident that it will grade a minimum of MS63, I cannot say what will grade beyond that point.

Again, thank you so much!

--Rob.

 

You have a 1954-S Washington Quarter that you think might go MS63 that you are considering having graded by a “Third Party Grader”?

At PCGS it will cost………

$ 18 under the Economy Grading Rate (per coin)
$ 8 for the submission form fee
$ 16.95 for return shipping

Total cost (not counting your postage fee to ship it to PCGS) is $42.95

You could buy a 1954-S Washington quarter all ready graded by PCGS as MS66 for $49.99.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-S-WASHINGTON-QUARTER-PCGS-MS66-/220930608658?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item33707d8e12


Not my coin on eBay, just thinking

 

MS63 makes it worth a little more than bullion value, maybe - if you can find a buyer.
Save your money and enjoy your quarter raw.

 

Also it will cost almost the same for shipping both ways for five coins as it does for one and that will greatly reduce the cost per coin. (In other words the shipping cost per coin sending 5 coins is around $8 per coin instead of $40 per coin sent individually.)

 

Does belonging to the ANA save you any money if you send coins to NGC?

 

You don't have to pay NGC's membership fee but the grading charges are still the same.

 

Thanks CoinGeezer!

 

No, it does not and if NGC deccides to use your ANA number for the submission, you will not have visibility of it through the process.

Slabs are handy for inventory and insurance tracking of coins as well. I am not advating putting a $15 modern coin into a slab because when I sold my MS69 SAE's recently, I got melt for them. I guess it depends what you collect.

 

True but emails to NGC's excellent customer service reps get fast responses.

My local B&M guy sells me certified MS69 ASEs for the same price as raw ones.
Once again, I would caution anyone from paying to certify low value coins. The minimum I set for myself is $100 but I'm thinking of pushing that up to $200.

 

Thanks for the info. I recently bought a 1876-S Trade Dollar from a trusted dealer and would like to get it graded at some point. Just trying to get a handle on which way would be the best and cheapest.