I'm a little more seasoned at collecting coins than currency, so I know that NGC and PCGS are the top two third party graders. ANACS and ICG are good. When it comes to paper money, I don't know which companies are generally regarded as the most trusted. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry cant help, we dont realy have slabbers over this side of the pond, and I have never even looked at a slabbed note (To Buy) Hopefuly one of the other guy's will be able to come up with a better response before to long
I could care less for them myself. They make the notes hard to image for my website so that I end up with dorky images like this: I am this close to opening the holder and liberating the poor gal.
Hey De Orc, Hold On To Your Hat! With The Money Being Made Here On Tpg Nonsense, It's Only A Matter Of Time!! Keep Us Posted!
Recently I have purchased several notes which are in TPG holders, because I liked the notes. There was one, I think it was PCGS, that is a lousy holder with a foldover tape thing over the top edge. Just like coins, the holders do absolutely nothing for me. I couldn't give a rats behind what someone else thinks of something, my opinion really is all that matter when I buy something. Slabs in any form are nothing more than dumbing down collecting, by accepting of someone's else's opin of collectable materiel.
I understand your point, but if someone is trying to sell the note sight-unseen, having a TPG grade on the note is helpful for maximizing the value. Whoever purchases it can remove the note very easily. CGA's holder is decent and tamper-evident as well - I don't have experience with PMG or PCGS when it comes to paper money.
TPGC's are strictly a matter of personal choice. For some it will provide a level of security and for others it simply does not matter. If you elect to use one I have had experience with 3...I like them in this order....PCGS, PMG and CGA. I also have a lot of raw notes and when trying to build a collection, sometimes you just end up with a mix! For notes that exceed $750.00 I tend to use PCGS and PMG.....each collecter has his/her own opinion and neither of them are correct or incorrect. It is a personal choice. So do what makes you feel comfortable. If you suspect a counterfiet than by all means send it in for proof if you are not sure yourself. RickieB
Until I started buying some better foreign notes in auctions lately, all of my notes were raw. Now I am coming up with an ABC listing of TPG's in my collection. I cannot say I am overly enthused about some of the holders either, especially one of the early PCGS holders.
CGA used to be the preeminent TPG prior to PCGS and NGC getting into the paper money racket. There were/are a few others as well (CGC, RCG) come to mind. Since PCGS and PMG's arrival, you see far more notes in their holders than in others. I've witnessed this at shows and in catalogs from the big auctions (Lynn Knight, Stacks, Heritage) It feels like IMO that CGA is getting squeezed pretty hard by the big boys. Compounding this, CGA has been a defendant in some recent litigation re overgrading of certain notes in their holders. Just as with TPGs for coins, buy the note, not the holder. I prefer PMG's holder to the others...again, just my opinion. As for sight unseen resale potential, I believe it's too early to say which of the big two have stronger positioning.
The holders can render accurate grading a lot more difficult, ie holding note up against light to see if any tell tale folds in the centre etc.
