Conventional view among coin dealers is that more $$$ in grading fees equates to higher grades. I don't know if this can be proven empirically, however anecdotally, it would appear that "express" and "walkthrough" services result in more of the VIP treatment and potentially in better grades. Yet, the TPGS are not going to assign a big money market grade to a problem coin or give the coin a grade that will come back to bite them in other ways. Was curious whether any other submitters have had experience in better grades with higher dollar grading tiers?
Depends on the coin. It's pretty much common knowledge that coins of exceptional value, rarity, or pedigree are given grade bumps. And since the grading tier is largely determined by value then it stands to reason that it could be said that coins in the higher grading teir are going to get higher grades. But it has nothing to do with whether it is a walk-through service or not. Wlak-through service is $100 regardless of the value of the coin. But grading fees for more valuable coins easily exceed that by many multiples.
While there is no way to prove it either way, based on my personal experiences and observations, I do not believe hat to be the case.
Mark would know. As another data point, the CRO guys, who I like and respect a lot, never seem that thrilled with their grades at shows, at least based on their road reports.
In my submission experience with NGC & PCGS my coins get the same treatment whether I walk them through a show or mail them in. I admit that I have tried to walk a couple coins into plastic and wasted some money doing it.
I have had mixed results with walk through grading at shows. I don't believe I'm treated any differently at the show versus at home either.
Although I've heard that from time to time a particular show's walkthrough service was "loose", I think by and in large it's a fallacy.
That would be a great coin show promo though: "This year only at Coinblast!! PCGS bringing all their graders prone to overgrading!!" Might cause a stampede.
For as long as I can remember people have always had this idea that they are treated differently than large dealers or rich folks when it comes to grading. They are absolutely convinced of it and nothing can change their minds it seems. Well guys - it's a myth ! There is no favoritism shown when it comes to grading. They, the TPGs, really don't care who are or how much money you have or how many coins you submit or how much you pay in grading fees. The coins are always graded the same way. Look at it like this. If Bill Gates submits a coin it gets a given grade. If Joe Collector submits that very same coin - it gets the exact same grade. If Heritage, arguably the largest coin dealer there is, submits a coin it gets a given grade. If Joe Collector submits that very same coin - it gets the exact same grade. The only favoritism that is ever shown in grading is given to the coin itself - not who submits it !
I have discussed this "favoritism" topic with a few dealers and they have all echoed Doug's comments. As I understand it, PCGS and NGC have internal procedures to assure that graders aren't providing favors. I think what some people fail to account for is that some dealers will re-submit a coin multiple times that they believe deserves a higher grade and that the multiple submissions will increase the chance of an upgrade. Most mere mortal collectors don't have the time, patience or resources to submit a coin multiple times.
