I spoke with both NGC and PCGS on getting proper coin images for auctions, etc.; NGC charges $5 per coin or currency item; PCGS requires that coins go through their true view program where the coin actually gets cracked out, imaged and re-holdered! No other options if you already have PCGS certified coins. They charge $10 for the service plus $10 for reholdering, and it takes several weeks to get the job done. This makes no sense for many coins. NGC would be doing a huge favor to collectors IMO if they allowed access to their copyrighted images for the $5 fee. Instead I paid over $50 in insurance today and over $40 in shipping to NGC to get a group of largely gold coins properly imaged. Are there other options for relative newbies to the auction listings on imaging? Thanks!
So instead of shipping the coins, I could get someone locally at around $5 like NGC charges? About the same quality and would they then be emailed to me so I can upload them?
There are a few very talented numismatic photographers out there that do this service for a minimal sum. I have never used TomB, but have seen his work and it is amazing. I personally would rather give my business to guys like TomB than the TPG's for imaging. As a matter of fact, I am less than impressed with PCGS's images of circulated classic coinage.
The NGC rate of $5 per coin results in images that are little different than something you may see from a flatbed scanner. This isn't a slam on NGC, but their system seems to dictate that they image the coin after it has been placed in the holder and that they do a high throughput process. Therefore, the images I have seen are pretty poor. If they have something better in place then I am not aware of it and I apologize for misleading anyone. PCGS also offers a similar, low quality image that seems to be done prior to certification, but they do not offer this as a service and rather do it automatically in-house. However, PCGS offers the TrueView service and these images are exceptional, but they require the coin to be raw and any already certified coin will then need to be reholdered or regraded as well as have its image taken. Additionally, coins in old holders will lose their holders and coins in other TPG holders (ie; NGC) have to be crossed over to use the service. It is a great service to offer clients, but it does not fit the needs of every collector or dealer. I can think of at least six photographers who are quite active and offer numismatic photography services. edited There are at least another four photographers who do really nice work, but who do not generally take images of coins.edited .......each has a characteristic style that is slightly different from the other, each has certain strengths and weaknesses with respect to image quality and each is pretty darn professional. The question of whom to use can come down to which photographer matches the client's aesthetic as well as possible services offered and treatment of the client. edited This isn't a service that makes economic sense for everyone, but it works for quite a few folks who want or need quality images to list coins on their site, for auction sites, to share images on the coin boards, to do research or to have a photographic record for insurance purposes. It is definitely an option to think about instead of having to cross coins over or have everything reholdered.
Yes, but if I am going to ship, the price is the same to NGC as to an expert photographer. And I would trust NGC with $20K to $30K in coins not a photographer that I would ship to so much. If I could find someone local who has the camera gear to do numismatics, that would be the option I would consider, plus I don't want to leave a bunch of high value coins with someone, I would want them to do it while I am waiting and watching the process. Not that I don't trust, but I'm not going to take a risk with my life savings with leaving high value around at risk.
Those are valid concerns. You have to trust the person you might hire to take images of your coins. Your downside with NGC is that you will spend a good sum and end up with very poor images while with PCGS you will likely spend more and will lose old holders or other TPG holders. Also, the turnaround time is likely much longer with PCGS and NGC than with a professional photographer. Good luck and please share the images that are returned to you as I would really like to see the coins. edited - sorry, but this is just too close to the line regarding our rules on self-promotion. I realize you were honestly trying to answer the questions asked, but given the situation, hopefully you will understand the need to edit this thread.
Thanks, Tom. With currency, I have been happy with PMG's images; they are way ahead of what I generally see on ebay. After all, who is going to make strong bids on items where the images are not all there? I understand we are talking apples and oranges with currency and coins. On the latter, basically I am looking for pictures that will work on ebay. I'm tired of doing auctions through other companies or selling at wholesale to dealers.
If you are looking for images comparable to some of the best you've seen posted on this site, you will be incredibly disappointed with what you will receive from NGC. TomB has probably handled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of coins belonging to other collectors. As he said there are at least a half dozen who are as trustworthy as PCGS or NGC and can run circles around the NGC product. Many of the photographers TomB referred to image coins for professional dealers as well as auction houses.
