PCGS vs. NGC for grading ultra modern coins (1965 and beyond)

Thanks all, I think I got the picture!!! (he, he, he). Use either PCGS or NGC, and trust in the coin to be the thing of value, not the slab. Thanks for helping out the newbie would-be slabber out with this.

 

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Generally NGC have a slightly higher change to get the highest grade, bur given the same grade, PCGS have higher selling price. Higher chance for MS or PR70 for NGC but lower selling price than PCGS 70.

 

What is funny - I wonder how many people see NGC(and they would admit it) on RLM's grade the coins use the +1 on what they think the grade is? I will admit there has been both NGC and PCGs coins I have used that on - mainly when I could see the booming luster myself and thought the coin only warranted a 66 off the pictures. The best part is RLM's explanation at the end with his opinion.

At the same time I wonder why when people post a picture of a coin and they include the label in the center of the picture? Not saying it is a bad thing. I have done it a few times, most times it is just the coin itself. Usually someone has to ask for the grade before I post it. I dislike the new holders for NGC because of the tabs - impossible to cut out of a picture. Let the coin speak for itself. I find it interesting at times when people post a grade on a picture based off what they see. When you include the label, people being nice, really might not post an opinion on the grade(some people automatically get defensive of the grade on the holder). Just thinking out loud(hmmm typing I guess).

 

hello GDJMSP

I just want to say GREAT POSTS. I agree with you wholeheartedly on your views about NGC and PCGS. Bravo.

I do need to defend ANACS for some things, though. I think they do a good job with problem coins, varieties, and errors. So I'll use ANACS sometimes as well.

 

I dislike the tabs on PCGS' new holders even more than NGC tabs. Though in both instances they establish an easy to identify period when the grading was performed, much like older fat NGC holders or green label PCGS holders do.

 

I have not seen one in person yet. But boy the tabs bug me in pictures.

 

I haven't read the whole thread so if these coins have already been discussed, my apologies!

Because I buy only moderns and mostly on eBay, I buy the slab. Usually I'm happy with buying the slab for what I collect. For Proof Pres. Dollars, I like the PCGS Signature Slabs in PR69; I dig the presidential portraits and don't want to stress about the possibility of the coins developing problems like I would if I paid PR70 money! I used to like collecting NGC Pres and Spouse coins and then getting them moved to Multi-Holders but that was sadly ended; Multi-Holders are now for Bulk Customers only, but you can see on my albums page the fun I used to have! For this reason, and for the money they sell for, I've switched to submitting my spouses to PCGS for First Strike...but I hope I never miss one and have to make it up. I don't want to pay for the premiums (beyond the $18 submission fee) I've seen First Strikes sell for over their like-graded counterpart. I know it's "meaningless" but it's definitely worth the $18.

The biggest difference I've seen with regard to grading is for the Spouse Bronze Medals. My MS68 and 69 PCGS bronzes have the kinds of dings you'd expect to see on a 65...or 64 so I've gone back to NGC for the Medals since, as I mentioned, I often buy them sight unseen. I've never been dissapointed in the NGC grade on the medals.

 

I prefer NGC over PCGS for the primary reason NGC does not blatantly follow questionable practices like PCGS does. The "First Strike" designation of PCGS is unfounded, as even the Mint will admit they cannot determine when a given coin was struck. They can tell when it was released, though.

NGC has the integrity to label their slabs "Early Releases", which is a much more accurate designation.

I believe if a company is willing to not be forthright in an area that can be easily determined, what's to keep it from being even moreso in areas that are less transparent.

Given what I know, I will take NGC any day.

 

Technically I think it's more like:
NGC stopped using "First Strike" because they lost the related court case initiated by PCGS and, in lieu of the marketing device they wanted to use, they came up with a more apt description which doubles as making them sound more honest in their approach.

 

hehehe....I wouldn't touch this one with a ten foot pole....hehehehe

 

I'm totally a newbie to slabs. I have a couple but just bought slabbed proof coins on ebay. I have some newbie questions and would appreciate help. Sorry if this has been covered a million times already.

1) What is a ballpark minimum of a coin value to make it worth sending in for grading? I don't think I have many at all worth sending in but I'm thinking about a couple.

2) I read the PCGS membership info and it just made me more confused. If I have a silver membership, that comes with 4 vouchers for grading coins each year. Do you still have to pay the grading fees, or just insurance and shipping, if you have a voucher?

Thanks for your time.

EDIT: the FAQ forum thread on slabs answered my questions. I don't have anything worth the cost of sending in.