I need to pick your brains here paper money hounds regarding Third Party Grading (TPGs) for paper money. Which do you have most confidence in and why? There is a reason I ask this. Many of you know I am not big on slabbing coins or paper but occasionally I do. About 3 months ago PCGS was running one of their specials so I sent a few notes in from work. The notes in question were two consecutive 1999 $1 Atlanta star notes. Only 640,000 printed and I got these from a fresh pack of singles in my "truck stop days". Now with the centering of the notes (especially the green seal) I figured one at MS64 and the other possibly a 66. Today I got the word. Both have graded MS66PPQ! Yes, I'll post pics when I actually get them. I plan on selling all of my stuff before my time on this world is over so I keep an eye on prices naturally. I found this one on First City Curreny's website listed at $595 as the highest graded. I know, and respect the owner by the way. Very knowledgable and just a heck of a guy. Here's his PMG MS67. http://www.fstctycurr.com/images/99fstar.jpg Now, I am by no means a proffesional paper grader but to me this is not a 67 note any more than the "lesser" of my notes is. To me the green seal centering is too far off. So as I said ANY opinions would be appreciated. One of my notes I feel did merit a 66 but not both. Thanks for your input. clembo
Send it back and tell them they got it all wrong Just like we talk on the site - they must grade. Think about how many "minor" error discussions we have had. The centering of the seal would probably have to be off noticeably to really affect the grade. If the embossing is nice, the edges centered, corners good, and no marks or folds then you probably got the grade you deserved. We are our own worst critics sometimes and probably over analyze everything we look at. How many times have we heard Doug say it would be lucky to make AU and the grade comes back MS. Either that or it was just your lucky day Dan! Congrats ~ Darryl
Here,s the problem, You dont work for PCGS, Its all about opinion But really how can you argue grade, There the so called experts Pro or Con!
congrats on your newly graded notes. i personally like PMG. for the most part i find PCGS and PMG grade fairly close. i have notes from both PCGS and PMG that are under graded or over graded. one reason i like PMG over the other 2 main TPG's is there holders. they seem the most sturdy and best for holding up over time. CGA's holders are a joke to me. to soft and flimsy. i have a few notes that i thought about resubmitting to get them out of those CGA holders. the PCGS slabs seem to curl up or bow after time. thats my .02:thumb:
I don't believe I was arguing the grade. In fact I stated one came back higher than I expected. I have about $13 each into these notes. Reread the thread please. I was looking for opinions on TPGs.
Dan... I either go with PMG or PCGS..and I can say that I am surprised to see that grade on that note. The margins do not warrant a 67 at all as the bottom of the note is very much different than the top margin. It also looks a little skewed (left compaired to right) just a tiny bit...could be the scan! A black background on your scanner would help alot to determine the margin area and eliminate the light line from the scanner light and plastic edge where bottom of the note meets palstic...but thats no 67!! The seal centering should take points off of it as well...how about the reverse?? Just my two cents for what it's worth... RickieB
Thanks RickieB. The note pictured is NOT mine. It belongs to First City Currency so not much I can adjust on the scanning. When I DO receive mine I'll post pics any way I can so people can judge. I'll scan both obverse and reverse of both notes. I dunno maybe a guess the grade or why does/doesn't it meet the grade. I reckon I'll have MY notes in hand next week. Dan
congrats on the grades clembo! if your wondering why the note graded like it did, a post the grade thread might get similar results. either way - do post the pics when the note arrives
The point i was trying to make is that what ever you submit to Either PCGS or PMG you have no control of the results, good or Bad!! As far as the best service to use! I would go with PCGS, Here again My opinion, I have several hundred and have never had a problem With the slabs curling up, Maybe the early ones they were very Flimsy.
i have many of them when you lay them flat on a table you can see both ends are not touching the table. both ends bow more than curl. these are all recent slabs say within the last year or so. i have quite a few like these none of my PMG notes have done this. i guess i am just partial to PMG. it wont stop me from buying PCGS notes though if i come across the right one
My first question, Did they start out that way? If not where are the notes Being stored, A high humidity envirement may have something to do with It cant say for sure, But i have many of these PCGS holders and have not Had this problem, It doesnt appear serious though and if it bothers you Just send them Back to PCGS for reholdering, Iam sure they would be More then happy to do it, At no charge!
i am assuming they didnt start out that way. these notes i purchased from many different outlets. so it isnt confined to one particular seller or auction house. it really doesnt bother me that much. i just know none of my PMG holders have done this. when i submit more notes they will be going to PMG.
Won't argue with that. I'll post pics when I get them and think folks will see a marked difference in the centering of consecutive notes graded 66. I have never bought a slabbed note and have slabbed very few of my own. Been PCGS for the specials and the fact that I work in a shop. We try to send bulk when we can so I toss a few of mine in. Can't say I've had any problems with the holders myself.
Heres a question i have, Why does a 64 graded note look better then a 65? On 65,S the margins are always over to one side, This isnt the case with 64,S ???
its not an issue as to why all 64's look beter then all 65's, in fact it shouldnt work out like that. As to why some 64's will look better then some other 65's is a case of all the 'qualifiers' that are looked at for a grade. you will have some 64's that are at the top of that grade, and some 65's at the bottom of that grade. when you look at the best of 1 grade, and the worst of another.. well, which one will look better?
I have submitted several hundred Mpc,s and it always it seems that the 65,s Margins are way off to one side or the other but dont see to many Of those problems on 64,s, I guess its a grading thing........lol I think they need to add another number like 65.3 to let you know where The note stands in the grade, It would be helpful dont you think???
OR they could stop using a system designed with coins in mind. Maybe a 100 point scale. Course then we'd have to reslab everything. Oh it so confusing!
