As a collector and Investor, I find this new PCGS Service outrageous. I for one, will never purchase a coin with a PCGS + designation and to be quite honest, I may quit buying PCGS encapsulated coins altogether. They can go pick someone else's pocket, not mine!! Ridiculous. What say you ?
I'd say you are foolish since there may be a coin (and not the plastic it is in) that you might want for your collection, but you are blinded by the label. And besides, the pocket who was "picked" was someone else since they paid for the grading to begin with. Oh, I also assume you'll be avoiding NGC + encapsulated coins too.
I'd say the OP is late to the table on this discussion. There were several threads that popped up when these new services were announced. Try the Advanced Search feature.
It's just another gimmick in the long line of marketing gimmicks by TPG's to garner more business. Like Catbert said, ignore the labeling and buy the coin inside. Guy~
+ designation is a great thing ---- sorry you feel opposite. however you are not paying anything extra the coin -- unless you are already buying a + coin. whatever --- dealers would pay the premium anyhow and it makes no difference. look at pre- + days. you'd see a coin go 25-30, even 40% over 'normal' pricing. there is a reason for that. the coin is better then a 'normal' coin that grade. look at cac and + they have huge premiums and theres that is because they ARE better coins.
The only thing that is happening here, is that PCGS is trying to compete with CAC. Plain and simple. But both Collectors and Investors are getting caught in the crossfire . I hate absolutes too .
I can understand the bold move as being controversial, but for the people that say "I'm not buying PCGS slabs ever again" - I just can't believe them. Even for those that hold true to what they say, PCGS definitely won't be suffering from this decision.
I think you are overreacting. Remember the first rule of collecting slabbed coins -- buy the coin not the holder. It is particularly apropos to your comments. Respectfully....Mike
I agree with the BUY THE COIN group 100%. PCGS is in the buisness to grade and slab coins. IMO they have great attractive holders that preserve and protect coins. People have always sold coins and graded coins saying things like,MS-63 but almost a MS-64,a better MS-65 and so forth. Collectors and investors benifiet from the + in my opinion. The collector can now judge coins for themselves as always but may see that the coin with the plus does have a better strike or luster thus agreeing with PCGS grade. The investor can now move into a market knowing that he is dealing with some of the nicest coins slabbed that are ussually in demand at a profit. Also PCGS and none on this site are gulable enough to believe that investors and collectors are not going online and opting to buy a PCGS+ coin simply by its listing due to the simplicity and dependability of the grading service. I know I have been guilty of this once or twice.lol
I think some of the differences in how TPG's are perceived has to do with how collectors buy. Those who have the time and will to attend shows, go to shops, etc., are generally less interested in slabbed coins, while those who do most of their purchasing online place a much greater value on the "peace of mind" the slab provides.
I don't really like the changes that have been made lately in grading either. But I'm certainly open to buying a coin with the plus designation. Like others have said, buy the coin, not the plastic or the label.
Agreed. Agreed. Word on the street is obtaining the PCGS "+" designation is tough. Personally, I don't have enough data points to form an opinion yet. As Mike said... check out the coin, get a price, then "pass or play". PCGS Plus is here to stay.
(+) (*) (CAC) (pcgs "secure") what is it with grading cos. and deciding if your (a) coin has eye appeal...thats teh buyers decision
Buyers have become so dependent on the TPG's that they can't make their own decisions anymore. It makes their brain hurt.
Wow! It's a miracle we were able to collect at all before all this TPG nonsense. Maybe we are getting dumber as a society. Guy~