Is it true that coins often upgrade when they are in the iconic PCGS OGH or in the NGC fat slab? If so, does it mean that PCGS's standards were stricter then? Thanks for any help!
No, it is numismyth. There were times throughout history where PCGS or NGC were stricter or looser, but it swings back and forth like a pendulum. Right now, word is that PCGS is being quite strict. The thing is - those OGH came out 30 years ago. Almost all that were considered undergraded at one point would have been cracked and crossed during a looser time. So, pretty much all of the ones left are either accurately graded, or maybe even overgraded.
Yes, all the TPGs were far more strict with grading prior to 2004. Since then they have loosened their grading standards numerous times. But what physics-fan is telling you above, about most of the coins in older slabs having been already upgraded, yes that is true. But it's not just the coins that used to be in the green slabs, (PCGS used the green slabs until 1998 by the way), it was the coins in any slabs used before 2004 that have been upgraded. And a great many if not most of the coins that were graded up until around 2010-2012 have also been cracked out and upgraded.
I have first hand experience from 7 years ago. I bought a $5 liberty in an old PCGS slab with a white label. Was graded MS-60 which was laughable. Should've been a MS-63. Brought it to Worlds Fair where NGC was slabbing and got it crossed over. It upgraded to a MS-62. It could probably get a 63 if sent back in but the value gap isn't wide enough to warrant re-submitting at this point. They are out there.... As others have said, it's probably almost to the point where the old slabs themselves will be collectors items some day as there might not be many left eventually.
Complete overexageration as usual. Most of the coins graded up until 2012 have not been upgraded. Internet forums are the only place that make upgrading sound easy/automatic and it's almost always from people that have very little to no experience submitting coins that believe this. It sure is great for business for both dealers and the TPGs for this myth to continue though. That doesn't even get into the fact that a coin graded in the begging can get a different grade now and not actually be an upgraded. + grades, * grades, some MS grades ect weren't always used so obviously they couldn't have gotten that before it was put into use. There are some other designations as well but the bottom line is that the only place that makes upgrades sound almost automatic is the internet
They already can be. Many of the slab versions themselves carry a premium as slab collecting of the different generations has become rather popular
This thread is just another example in a long line of threads over the years that propagate the myth that the TPGs consciously change their grading standards in order to drive resubmissions and steal market share from their competitors. And the OP seems to be a little new to this and will undoubtedly fall for it, and be espousing this same propaganda in a few months/years.
Grading is a lot more re-fined now than it used to be. I've read about the old days and supposedly grading was much more "broad". A lot more stuff fell into blocks of MS that would be divided up now. I always give old slabs a second look even if it is a myth. To be honest, the product is usually disappointing. Some stuff is actually over graded now because either spots have formed or red cents would no longer grade red. Depends on how they were stored. Even luster can be affected if not stored properly, which can be enough to downgrade something. But nobody would ever intentionally send something in to be down graded. Searched PCGS OGH on ebay. In about 2 seconds I found something that's debatable. Would this classify as a MS65 today if cracked out and re-submitted? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1886-Morga...h=item2608ba6813:g:DxwAAOSwdmlb32OJ:rk:6:pf:0 This one would probably upgrade if cracked out. https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-1833-Bu...900431?hash=item442c0e244f:g:pecAAOSwXi9b2a2h
Unfortunately this is very true and sadly it's generally the people that have never used the TPGs that give out the worst information about them. None of those slabs would still exist if it was anywhere close to as easy as some on the internet try and make it sound
A big issue is whether a coin has been in the market or tucked away in a safe... Ones that have been bought and sold several times have been looked at for upgrades, may even have been sent it and didn't... A coin that truly has been off the market for the 30 years is more likely to upgrade.
Yes obviously a coin that hasn't seen the market has a better chance to upgrade, but it doesn't mean that chance is good especially now. There's been numerous posts on forums from upgraders and crack out guys that early slabs were downgrading or staying the same if lucky.
Granted, it's not in an PCGS holder, but it is an older holder, and I think the grade was conservative to say the least........
That coin would be worth far more than even MS64 money if it had been kept in the white label slab, especially with a gold CAC bean.
Not much to add, except that even John Albanese, founder of NGC, has freely stated that in the early days, grading standards were "too tight." I think coins in these holders are worth a good look, there are a lot of nice coins in them. But I agree that people have been onto the upgrade game for a long time, and most obvious upgrade candidates have been regraded if the value warrants.
