This morning, I decided to bring out my ICG/Jeffersons I purchased these roughly 3 years ago. I kept thinking to myself, Why am I doing this!!! After hearing all about these,(Lower-End grading services), I wanted to check these out again, forgetting what these coins looked like when I purchased them. I'd just buy them, an' wrap'em up! tuck'em away,an' I just kept right on buying, whatever suited me at the time. Lol' I've never sold any of my coins on Ebay, yet. Maybe later, when or (If) theeconomy gets better, would be my time. Makes me really wonder if ICG an' Anacs still encapuslates their coins, Surfing ebay, you sure don't see hardly any of them anymore. In all honesty' I was really surprized to see them this nice. I ck'd the 1938 an' 39-D they sure look like these two, could make FS designation. they got a couple of tiny ticks on the step/area but Imo' it should've recieved it. I may send in, for a crossover later. I do know most ICG coins, are really spotty an' dark colored. It's been awhile, since I've been on Cointalk, so I thought I'd also put-in a couple photo's of my ICG/Jeffersons',,,,Hope you enjoy them. chasindreams/:smile
I like what I can see of them. Any chance to post larger photos of individual coins? I don't own any ICGs so I have no idea how solid their grading is, including for Jeffersons. As you may well know, we have a few Jeff experts on here (I'm not one of them).
When ICG first started they were quite conservative and likely were a bit tougher in grading than either NGC or PCGS during their first year or two of service. Later, in what might have been an attempt to gain market share, it appeared that ICG shifted their standards to be a bit more lax than either NGC or PCGS and that is the time, in my opinion, when they began their long fall.
Jim, Can you post larger individual photos of the coins so that we can get an idea of the grading standard used by ICG compared to NGC & PCGS? Paul
Good Morning, to Everyone! As for me trying to get larger pic's? Unfortunately, I was unable to, I tried to get larger photo(s) . What I need is a Coin Microscope, So if there's anyone that knows of a great one, please, by all means, let me know? I bought an' tried a $50 one, had it for about a week, ended up getting frustated with it, tossed it in the waste-can. I'd love to get one where you can have the extra zoom an' light ,if you need it, for that great pic'. Especially' getting those FSteps! I hope this finds everyone here on CT in great health, write me again, when you get around to it. Have a Great Day! chasindreams/
ICG is a somewhat respected TPG. Their main problem is that they're up against PCGS and NGC. IMO they offer the potential to make a profit. Buy an older coin in an ICG holder (sight seen) and do a crossover at the same grade to PCGS. First do the math. Is the coin in a PCGS holder worth more than the cost of the ICG coin PLUS the crossover fee?
I do not have a problem with the early years of this particular grading company, but my concern would be with a higher grades for key coins in the series, like that 1939-D in MS-67 There is over a $100 difference between a MS-66 vs. a MS-67, my question would be this? If I paid 67 money for that 39-D Jefferson, would it ever be able to hold that value in the coming years? Now, if you only paid 66 fair market values (not taking FS into consideration) for this coin, then there would be no worry that you've dug youraelf into this coin. ICG is a recognized encapsulation service and I would give them a B+ for accuracy and consistency. Course this is my opinion and in no way should influence the way you perceive the rankings of grading services. Happy Collecting
I too liked them in their early years as a TPGing company and miss them from then as you could cherry pick some good coins for lesser money then.
Buying an ICG coin is no different than buying a coin in any slab - you forget what the slab says and buy the coin based on its own merits or lack thereof. It also depends greatly on what the coin is. Just about anything dated post '64, or in a 70 holder is suspect. Many of the older coins, pre '64, were graded correctly by the original ICG. (The same cannot be said of the newer company however.) And it is not uncommon for them to cross to NGC or PCGS, and more than a few even upgrade.
I agree with buy the coin not the holder. I was just saying that the older ones from them were like a bulls eye of value compared to the prices so it was nice to look at them.
The "Buy the Coin and Ignore the Holder" is a well placed caveat. There are too many "70's" I have come across which really are not PQ.
