Best Grading Company for Older Coins and Ancients?

Hi folks,

Because of the high number of forgeries out there, I was thinking about sending my golden guinea and Augustus denarius (see this thread: http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=32939) to a grader for authentification and grading.

I think I heard that PCGS doesn't grade these sort of coins(?) so I'm looking for recommendations on the best place to send them.

Who's the best?

 

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I wouldn't have the denarius slabbed. Ancient collectors will, almost always, choose a raw coin over the same slabbed coin. The guinea I'd consider having authenticated, it is a popular date and an oft-forged coin. For the Augustus denarius, if you insist on having it authenticated, use David Sear's authentication service. It may not come with a fancy piece of plastic, but it will have an accurate, detailed attribution and, for a few extra dollars, a detailed explanation of the historical significance of the coin.

http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html

 

I agree about Sears for the Ancients...I have seen fakes of both those coin types. I prefer not to give opinions one way or the other unless the coin is just glaringly fake.

With the denarius...You should go to

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php

go to the forum there, and post your coin asking for opinions on authentisity. There are quite a few people in the know there and they might give you a consensus, if they all agree its a fake...you could still send it in, but I bet they will be right.

 

Good advice on the denarius, guys... thanks.

I really like the idea of having a detailed history of the coin but before I pay the $50 Sears price tag, I'll have to get an idea of it's value and it's authenticity.

Next stop... forumanicientcoins.com

 

Sears for ancients....um...I would suggest CGSUK for the Guinea...although they use 100 point scale best for English coins. Neither are really worth enough to be needing authenication really, apart from the seller, to be honest, but if you want too....

 

It's just that I saw another gold guinea (dated 1775 and in similar condition to mine) that was slabbed, go for over $600 on eBay.

The slab essentially drove up the price for a number of reasons... it proved the coin was authentic, and it was not listed as being cleaned, which the seller used as a selling point.

Because mine is a 1776 coin, the year the US declared independance, I would suspect I could get better then that price if my coin was slabbed, when and if I decided to sell.

 

Aslanmia,

What was the grade on the $600 one on ebay ?

 

EF-40 and it went for closer to $700. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120213263252&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

I think mine could at least pull in an 30... I don't know, I'm far from an expert, but at these lower grades the differences in value isn't as exponential as it is in the higher MS values.

 

Hey .... FWIW ..... I would send it to NGC only if :

1) From the photos ... IMO your coin is of a lesser grade than the ebay coin ... probably VF ? . Only you can really judge this with the coin in hand.
For a low grade coin you need to analyze the reason for getting your coin graded ... For resell or for TPG authenticiation for personal satisfaction. If strictly for resell you need to run $$ numbers to see if it is worth the risk of it being no graded.

2) Really analyze your coin for signs of cleaning/problems and if in doubt as to any problems you find .... you may want to reconsider sending it in unless spending the $62 without getting a grade is not a concern.

3) You can overcome the problem in minimizing the cost by submittal of a single coin. ($32 + $30 S&H - for both ways = $62 ). It would be cheaper if you had a 5 coin minimum per coin and combined multiple coin S&H)


Only you can really make the final decision on what to do. I have been in your position several times and have good and bad successes. Be very open to yourself regarding #2 above, don't let personal attachment cloud your vision, really look for flaws .... because NGC will !!!!

Whatever you do ...... enjoy the coin !!!!!!!

Idea !!!! ... You could always send it to Bonedigger Numismatic Trust

 

Best Grading Service

For the best grading in today's market, check out B.E.N.T.

http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=33255

 

Your Guinea is GF, so there is almost no chance it will sell in excess of $400.

$600 is pretty low for an EF Spade guinea ! Most sell for closer to $800 !

 

I agree with your assessment of the grade, but you don't think the 1776 date would bring in a better price (in the US at least)?