So if I understand the process correctly, CAC uses a green sticker to say if the coin is high end for the grade or is under graded? Why wouldn't they have a sticker to say they think the grade is correct? If people sending in coins want the reassurance of CAC, why wouldn't they want to know if CAC agrees with the grade? Coming back without a sticker could mean they agree with the grade, is low end for the grade or is over graded. Seems to be a lot of gray area there. So the question is, wouldn't a sticker stating the coin is graded correctly also command a premium as the grade has been confirmed by the sticker gods?
The green sticker means that they (CAC venders) agree to buy said coin at their posted price for green-stickered coins. That's all it means. Same with the gold sticker. They don't sticker coins that they wouldn't want to be required to buy at a particular price point.
What does it mean when a coin does or doesn’t receive a CAC sticker? *** This is adapted from CAC's own site, and from MY personal experience with CAC. *** CAC’s rejection of a coin does not necessarily mean that CAC believes the coin has been over-graded by the Third Party Grader (TPG) NGC or PCGS. A coin that fails to sticker may simply be a “C-coin” or lower, where “C” grade indicates the coin is low-end for the grade. CAC will only award stickers to coins in the “A” or “B” category. “B” grade indicates solid (average) for the grade, and “A” grade indicates high-end for the assigned grade. “C” coins, although probably accurately graded, will be returned without a CAC sticker. Sometimes, in a minority of failed coins, CAC may see things that the TPG missed, such as a light cleaning, a puttied gold coin, a plugged (holed) coin, toned-over scratches, and other imperfections or damage that should have been caught. These coins are not low-end for the assigned grade, they are simply over-graded or should not have been numerically graded in the first place. The only person that can know why a particular coin fails is the person who originally submitted the coin to CAC. That person has the ability to speak with CAC shortly after it has been reviewed and learn about why the coin failed. A future owner of this coin does not have that ability, nor will the CAC certification look-up tool tell you if a coin previously failed and why. A lack of a CAC sticker should not doom a coin, and a value statement cannot be made as to CAC opinion of that coin. Interested parties cannot know whether a coin lacking a CAC sticker is simply a coin that has not yet been submitted, or is in the opinion of CAC a “C” coin, an over-graded coin, or worse a problem coin. A coin with a CAC sticker has been independently verified and in the opinion of CAC is either an “A” or “B” coin for the assigned TPG grade. A green CAC sticker does not differentiate between the “A” and “B” coins, it is simply one or the other. However, there is special sticker for clearly under-graded coins. If a coin received a gold colored CAC sticker, in CAC’s opinion the TPG under-graded the coin by at least one full point. This coin is an “A” or “B” coin for the next highest numeric grade, and may even be several numeric grades higher than what the TPG slab lists. Gold CAC stickers are uncommon, only around 1 out of 100 CAC stickers is a gold sticker. Some of the grading considerations taken into account by CAC include a coin’s luster, eye-appeal, originality of surfaces, quantity of distracting blemishes, and quality of strike. Coins that have unsightly abrasions, market unacceptable or undesirable toning, overly soft strikes, distracting spots, streaks, or other highly distracting blemishes are not stickered by CAC, as these are not “A” or “B” coins. In some coin series, dipping is considered market acceptable, such as Walking Liberty Halves, Morgan and Peace Dollars. In other series, dipping in market unacceptable. CAC takes into consideration these generally accepted practices, but in general coins with original, un-tampered with surfaces are the premium coins that CAC stickers. In summary, there are three possible results from submitting a coin to CAC: (1) No sticker, “Not CAC” (C coin or lower, or other) (2) Green sticker, “Passed” (A or B coin for grade) (3) Gold sticker, “Exceeded” (under-graded by TPG by at least 1 full point)
Thanks for your response! I guess I was wondering why more so the fact that they could level the playing field between TPG's. I know when I look at coins in an ANACS or ICG slab, I assume they are over graded and my offer is as such. Yes, I obviously know I should buy the coin and not the slab but when buying online, "buying the coin" becomes difficult so I avoid most lower level TPG's. If CAC had a sticker for coins they felt were graded correctly, I think this would bring up the value of properly graded coins in second tier TPG slabs and give buyers the confidence that CAC at least agrees with the grade.
I agree and until I am ready to take off the training wheels, a grade confirmation sticker wouldn't hurt.
You need not equate CAC with training wheels. It has become a major player in the market with many extremely experienced and savvy numismatists embracing its role. Some folks throw negative opinions at CAC and those who use, trust or require CAC; but when it comes time to sell things might change.
Sounds like micro-grading. Also like whipping up a market for something out of thin air. I'm jealous.
Yeah, having it slabbed is supposed to give confidence, but evidently not enough. So now we have CAC stickers for more confidence on a coin. I wonder how long it will be, (10 years?), before another firm comes out with a "gold dot" program to mark those CAC stickers residing on a TPG slab to offer a third level of "confidence" in a grade. Heck, the more people being able to make more and more money on the backs of coin collectors the merrier, right? Oh, and don't forget to use your special plastic covers on top of your CAC sticker and slabs because we need to have as many layers between the collector and the actual coin as possible, since, you know, mint slab with mint CAC tag is MUCH more important than the actual coin buried deep down in the plastic somewhere. Ok, sorry, sarcasm off.
People who are new to collecting don't know a world before slabs. We are expected to know the coins, the TPG's, the stickers and who knows what's next. In a perfect world yes, I could just learn to (accurately) grade coins and buy for my own collection, but when it comes time to sell, I have to market my item to the biggest audience to achieve the best price. The new market desires slabs, with stickers. Where some believe TPG's have improved the hobby, I say they have handicapped it. They are taking years of knowledge and experience and selling it for $20.00 a crack. I admit that I get too caught up trying to make sure I don't lose money on a coin that I have talked myself right out of a lot of really nice pieces. I forget this is a hobby and hobbies cost money. I vow to buy one coin in the next week that is not in a slab and one that I haven't looked up in a price book. I will buy it because I like it, consider it a complete financial loss and love every second of it.
I can bag on TPG's and CAC and their gimmicks all day long, but anymore I don't see the point. They serve their audience, which I happen to not be any part of, and thats fine. I buy slabbed and CAC stickered coins all the time, but their residency inside plastic is short-lived in my care. I don't buy thinking about re-sale, profit, investment, competition, or grade...I buy because it's a hobby full of enjoyment, something that isn't about recouping money. But, heck, thats just me, and who am I.
...and I bet you will have a lot more fun because of it sir. Nothing wrong at all with researching and knowing the going price of a coin, but to turn up your nose at a coin you like due to someone else's opinion seems silly to me. Do like you say, buy what gives you joy and consider a hobby expense. Collectors who play the whole "dealing" game are fine, personally I simply do not gain any pleasure in buying coins that way.
I think CAC becomes important when we're talking about $1000+ coins or about those where the value drastically increases from one grade to the next higher grade.
So you want a sticker that will say that the coin has been graded correctly ? Well, here's one for ya that is much sought after but seldom given And no, I did not create that ! Somebody else around here did, sadly I cannot recall who exactly. Perhaps they will speak up ?
Is that what this statement means at their website? "CAC stands behind our verification by making markets in most actively traded coins." Your explanation certainly was much more helpful than this opaque statement.
Keep in mind that grading company gauranty is real. NGC offers appearance review free of charge (you pay shipping charges). I assume that since PCGS company owners market only PCGS coins, no guarantee is needed ? See why fourth party verification is needed ! At NGC they will purchase or replace overgraded coins and do not market their coins in any except for promotional purposes.
