Everyone's Grading Service Preference (when purchasing)?

I'm finally at the point where I've got 19/20 slots full in my graded coin box (upgrading to a 40+ slab lock box soon) and it just seems that I've been buying a lot more NGC than PCGS. (I do like series art and holder thickness as well). It's seeming to be a trend for me, but it also seems like alot of my better stuff: I buy graded from PCGS. ANACS would probably be my 3rd buying option as I'm not particularly fond of ICG's style unless I'm buying a "one-off" of something.

 

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My experience of TPG's has been dismal. I prefer NGC but they have cost me money and stress. I tend to use TPG's for post 1700 coins to establish authenticity. I try to buy the coin not the plastic and heard a bizarre conversation in Florida 2 years ago between two collectors about a Morgan Dollar. One was graded MS 64 and the other several points below but the lower graded coin was beautiful and the MS 64 Ugly and stained. That's the problem when finance is more important than aesthetics.
Once you look at the numbers and not the coins you collect lumps of plastic and not what's in them.

 

Fair point. I was just in a conversation in a post regarding the MS over a Morgan based off the reverse (I think it was an 1891-0) with toning. A lot of people seem to be leaning towards MS64 but some say MS63 due to wear and it not being a weak strike. I have an 1883 Morgan graded at MS63 with much clearer detail at the ear, but from what I’m gathering Morgan’s are so weird that different years in very similar to almost the same exact condition: one will grade higher than the other.

 

I don't get many coins graded but the only grader I've used is ANACS, taking advantage of their lower prices. I will be sending to NGC soon though as ANACS doesn't grade the smaller BG California gold tokens and other gold tokens as well.

 

I stick to NGC and PCGS when purchasing. There’s been just a few times I’ve purchased other TPG coins, but even those were with the intention of sending to NGC.

 

I prefer PCGS as it’s easier to see the coin than all the other TPG slabs.

 

I’m pretty much in the same boat

 

A lot of assumptions about the capabilities of various companies, rather than the actual capability of the grading expert. NGC, PCGS, and a few others use the title more than the skills in my opinion.I have argued, debated, and irritated with most of the companies. The one that at first really irritated me, but I jumped on their wagon. IGC, in my opinion is the most accurate graders of all. Several times I was going hot, but I was always shown enough high level photos that I had to submit and say, Yes you are correct. Don't grade by the letters in their Name. IMO, Jim

and yes I still have a lot of those dealers slabs with high grades I have to sell

 

"Don't grade by the letters in their name"
Respectable POV, I dig that.

 

If you took a census of my past collections you would find a tendency towards PCGS and NGC but I have also had coins in holders from 6 other companys. It is my current project to eliminate all but the PCGS and NGC holdered coins but that has more to do with keeping things simple for my heirs.
Your question centers on purchasing though. Know this. I reject at least one third to one half of all coins no matter what holder they are in. I have found numerous coins with large gouges, scratches, rows of scratches from brass brushing (digger coins), harsh cleanings, and my least favorite dipped into oblivion. All in straight graded holders and I haven't even mentioned grading.
I only expect the slab companys to make sure the coin is real. In all other regards buyer beware! James

 

All four---and any other slabbing company you wish to mention--along with (dare I say it?) RAW!!!

What ever happened to collecting coins instead of collecting labels?

 

@okbustchaser . I will purchase raw coins too, but only from dealers I know and have dealt with in the past. The list is very small and I must be in complete agreement with their grading approach. James

 

Submitting coins to be graded, which I don't do often, I go for ANACS: cheaper, faster, doesn't require a membership, and the twice a year coin show near me always sends me a coupon good for two free submissions (still have to pay return shipping and insurance, but still, great deal!).

Buying I prefer raw to be honest, but if I am buying graded usually prefer ANACS just because they tend to be cheaper; the grading doesn't add much if any cost to what the coin would sell for otherwise. I might bring myself to get PCGS sometimes because you can see the coin better, especially the edge so much better than you can with NGC.

 

Why no choice for CACG?
Why no choice for 4PG CAC?

 

I still buy raw as well (and to answer @charley I completely forgot about CACG and had never heard of 4PG CAC or any other TPG past that), there's going to be coins I I'd rather buy authenticated already.

 

Not every coin we need or want to buy needs to be in a slab, especially from a known and reputable TPG.

 

I agree, I was never implying that they had to be (I still think my best raw purchase so far is one of my 1883 Liberty Nickels with die cracks on the obverse and reverse). This was just more or less of a curiosity post.

 

I wasn’t taking your post to mean you do but some people are just to into it must be slabbed.

 

Completely understandable lol. I may have been on a trend on buying a lot of slabbed recently, but I do have a few dealers I buy from that have quality raw coins.
I'll more than likely be buying from them over the next week or two.
I DO encapsulate my raw coins with direct fit capsules though for protection.

 

I will buy PCGS or NGC depending on whether or not I like the coin. The grading number on the slab is of secondary importance. Both companies get it right and wrong. Neither is perfect. That goes for CAC stickers too.