What do you think of PCGS Collectors Universe?

Tmoney, never forget. All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.

 

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I don't even bother. I like varieties. I like errors. Since PCGS doesn;t even know what many of the rare die varieties even are, it just doesn;t make sense to waste time there. They aren;t even aware of the transition cents or at least weren't until very recently. Hey, I like being in the front of the search. That means I need places like this forum where newly discovered varieties are discussed and information put forth.

I mean, everyone knows what a 1878 CC Morgan is. But when a TPG doesn;t know what a 1988 RDV006 or a 1992 CAM cent is, then I'll stay with the guys that do.

I believe the CT roll searchers and variety collectors along with the CONECA members here on this forum are likely the greatest combined knowledge base in numismatics. The guys here will either know or be able to tell you how to find out. I'm not even tempted to go elsewhere

Thanks

gary

 

You know a couple of years ago when I rentered the hobby, I was one asking stupid questions, over and over. But the patience you guys showed got me into this in a big way. I started researching as much as 12 hours a day. I was reading everything that had any interest to me and a lot of things that were just to help me understand other things I learned.

I gained a lot of knowledge in those short years as well as made some very good friends through this forum. Now I answer a few of the more basic questions, trying to pass on what I've gotten from you guys and elsewhere.

Not everyone is an investor or speculator and there has to be a place for those guys to go to for information and support. I think this is probably it.

gary

 

So, if a variety isn't recognized by PCGS, is it still a variety ? Or do the dies cease to have existed ?

 

Well, I checked them out.....wanted to join, but glitch wouldn't let me. So I guess you guys get my undivided attention.

They have some good posters and some good threads -- as do we -- but they also have lots of 1-and-dones. 1 post and now follow-ups.

Also, while their Saint-Gaudens posts have some good information, I think they are bit too much into trading over there, attempting to arbitrage differences between bullion and low-to-mid 60's Saints. That's playing it too cute, IMO. At super-cheap or super-expensive levels (i.e., 1990) I have no problem with this tactic but it's not something you can bring out every 3-4 months. It's like stock daytrading, a guessing-game.

Also, the Saint guy(s) there who claim to be able to buy Saints graded in increments of 1/10th are...well....I'm not sure that Akers and Bowers or the world-class Saint collectors are that good at grading that they can differentiate an MS-65 Saint into a 65.3 vs. 65.7 (CAC eligible) vs. low-end 66...etc. etc. etc.

 

I personally agree with the essence of your post, that if a group of individuals can't accept objective discussion about a commodity packaging, I avoid their sheep-like mentality.

I personally have found PCGS grading to be the most unreliable/inconsistent of the "premier" grading organizations. However, it appears that the majority of buyers desire their products, believed because of the aggressive sales efforts by the CU organization, and dealers.

I have also found NGC to also have very inconsistent grading tendencies, but tolerable because of seemingly less often, and the acceptability of todays buyers to generally accept the current "market" standards.

My thousands of coins having a value greater than $100 are all TPG certified, with the majority being generally split between the two most preferred TPG firms.

I enjoy the relatively Civil discourse advanced in this venue, and respect the right to disagree with some seemingly objective knowledgeable posts, which often have a bias similar to the opposing venue.

JMHO

 

They take that brand a little too seriously, there, that's the only real drawback. You either align with their philosophy and play ball or you're gone.

 

My devotion lies here. I've never lurked at another forum.

 

Agree. I lurk there when bored. Like stated earlier in the thread, the fact they censor and ban people for preceived "bad pub" just rubs me the wrong way. It seems a little like a napoleon complex.

 

Like what kind of posts do they censor ?

 

Anything that reflects badly on them.

They just "poofed" a thread by Rick Snow (expert in IHC) that was attempting to discuss the change in grading standards over the years.

 

Well that's stupid...it's not bashing PCGS, it's talking about TPG standards in general. Besides, most people seem to think PCGS is more conservative than NGC (let alone the also-rans) so I don't think they're going to look bad on a relative basis.

 

For me...its seems to be MUCH more friendlier here than at CU. I am a member there and used to post...but I felt like I was just lost in the shuffle. Some of the people there have a GOD like mentality and won't answer you if you dont a certain number of post. Not being mean...just telling you the truth. On three separate occassions I had to ask someone with way more post than me to ask a question in general chat just to get the same people that ignored me to answer. That is NOT cool...thus the reason I left.

MJH

 

Wow. If I were Rick I think I'd "poof" myself from there in a hurry. That's really extreme.

 

I like it here, there and everywhere.

 

Well when I got back into the hobby a few short years ago, I had lots to catch up on. I am a member at CT, CU, NGC, and the Coin Community Forum. I go to all of them once in a while looking mainly for Kennedy information as that is what I have chosen to collect. I chose Kennedy's because that is what I collected as a kid and now that I am somewhat better off financially now, I can get some of the things that I could not earlier in my life. All of them have good points. I sometimes dual post here an CCF, but to be honest, I check CT way more often. It is better for someone like me to learn and not be scolded because I am ignorant. CU has some of my threads but the software is so old that searching is a pain. Still I frequent all three reading, but 90% of my posts are here.

 

I post on there and here, I prefer here only because there more of a family vibe while CU board is just so huge you mind as well be a speck of dust.

Thankfully I dont post much in the U.S. section. I mainly post in the world/ancient section and there is several there I talk to often & even trade with them.

Still could give a rats about slabs.