This is probably an unsatisfactory answer, but I like them all -- including PCI. While others will rightly point out, "buy the coin, not the holder," I view it as a comparison of what you get for what you pay. If two coins appear comparable in grade and eye appeal, whichever is least expensive is the one to buy regardless of which company graded it or what the grade is.
I was trying to sell a SL dime today in an ANACS AU-50 holder. No one wanted it. All agreed that the details weren't sharp enough to be AU. That's one strike against ANACS. But I know people have had similar experiences with all of the TPGs. I personally go with NGC. Easier for me to deal with and they do a good job. I only use ANACS when I want to get a cleaned coin authenticated and graded. PCGS is too tough to deal with if you are not a dealer. ICG doesn't get the respect they deserve.
I've never dealt with any of them, and only own one slabbed coin (soon to be two ), but I have an attraction* to NGC for some reason. (* for lack of better word. ) Phoenix
Always a hot topic and good points made already. This is why I go with SGS. Only at SGS can you get consistent MS70 coins! Okay, I got my dig in now back to earth. I have very few slabbed coins myself but we do slab a LOT at work. Problem coins go to ANACS and personally I've never had a real problem with their grading. PCGS STILL gets the big bucks but even if you ARE a dealer they can be a real pain in the butt to work with. NGC does seem to hand out the MS/PR 69 and 70 a lot more freely than PCGS on the modern stuff. The boss has me go through this stuff and pick what I think might go 70. Two problems as I see it. I'm NOT a professional grader and I see flaws on darn near anything. Hate when he does this to me. Well, quite a few have come back 70 that I picked thinking 69. Now get down to your older coins, Morgans etc and I think NGC and PCGS are neck and neck. They can both be very tough. Grades aren't just "handed" out. They all have their moments. I've seen PCGS coins that I felt were highly over graded. Last week we got an NGC coin back. 1877 Indian Cent that came back as XF45. We called that a "gimme" cuz they sure gave it a nice grade. No diamonds and LIBERTY very visibly worn. VF20 in our opinion and that was four of us. I do plan on starting to slab more of my coins to make it easier for my wife to sell if something should happen to me. Used to lean toward PCGS but considering that I am more into type I'm now leaning toward NGC. Grading is generally very good and easier to deal with. A darn shame but put the number on plastic and she'll get better money if it comes down to that. Yep, leaning toward NGC pretty heavy these days.
Clembo Whats with PCGS on the Indians as of late. Take a look at my 09-S 45 they gifted me on another thread, I cannot sell it now unless I discount it or crack it.
If I ever start grading, I'd prolly go with ICG because they grade ancients (and the only one I know of that do) stainless BTW: do any of the top 4 grade tokens too?
Best? Best at/for what? Best slab to protect you coin - all respectable TPG's probably do about the same. Best to sell a coin - PCGS Best (most uniform) grading - Probably NGC Best to buy (most coin for your buck) - guessing NGC, PCI and/or NTC.
Key dates high grades? Just looked at yours by PCGS and I'd go with the VF25 that others posted. The NGC XF45 1877 my boss had was weaker. He was lucky. Sold it to another dealer while disclosing our opinion and the guy had no problem. That was good as he did not want to put it up on ebay just to get it returned. I didn't mention it earlier so suppose I should now. I think keys are often over graded. Even "up and coming" dates. My favorite example is always the 27-S Standing Liberty Quarter. I've seen way too many PCGS F12 examples that I have raw graded as VG-VG10.
Having just gone through the process of buying a 1877 IHC, I got a bit of insight about that date. MFD is a highly respected small cent dealer, so I respect his opinions and knowledge. Basically his statement about 1877 IHCs is, they were weakly struck as a whole. So your 1877 probably looks like my 1877 (also a XF-45). Virtually no diamonds showing. See here: Which, of course, leads to the larger question, "Why are coins in the same series graded with different standards?"
I only buy the top two. After reviewing whether I like the coin, I have a slight preference for PCGS because of their clear slab for viewing the coin. When submitting a raw coin, I go with NGC because I don't want to pay the PCGS membership fee. Expensive coins, in my opinion, should be in one of these two holders due to resale reasons - if I want to sell it to fund another purchase or upon my death to aid a estate liquidation for my heirs. My collection now wouldn't command big dollars, but I'm sure hoping it will be in the future!
"NGC grades most U.S. Coins, tokens and medals in addition to coins from Great Britain, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Russia, Canada, Japan, France, China, Australia, and many other countries." (from their web site) PCGS grades patterns, etc, but not tokens, as far as I know.
PCGS and NGC are both fine with me. I wish NGC would offer a clear holder. I have a tough time getting a good image in white holders. As far as diamonds go, I'm not sure what the current standards are for PCGS. The ANA standards from way back (if not changed) said, this feature is often weak even on Unc. coins. At the same time the standard for EF-40 called for most of the diamond design to show plainly. I don't see a clear answer.
If all coins of a given date/mint are known to have been weakly struck then allowances are made for that weak strike. This is true of any denomination and it a grading rule that has always been followed, even long before the TPG's existed. That said, the coin you pictured has way too much wear to deserve an XF grade IMO, even allowing for a weak strike.
Because they are market graded. Most people don't realize it, and I surely didn't until it was pointed out to me, but the TPGs market grade not technical grade coins. Hence the seemingly different standards.
Even using the technical grading standard, allowances are made for coins where the entire mintage is known to be weakly struck. It has nothing to do with market grading.
