The Best Graders?

Hello, from a new guy. I haven't been collecting long. Always enjoyed looking at my dad's collection growing up. He passed away last year, I wound up with his collection and ever since I have been consumed with the hobby. I love it. My question is "who is the best grader?". I see info on the "top four" but sometimes like on Ebay, people will say this grader is much better than that one. I haven't had anything graded yet, but I intend to. Also there is the purchase side of it. Is one company's grade more valuable than another? Help! and Thanks!

 

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Basically you can't go very far wrong sticking with the big four, but always remember that grading is subjective, so opinions about graders will be subjective too.

Of course, there are some of us who believe that unless you need it for authentication, or potential resale of high end items, slabbing just interferes with the enjoyment of ownership.

I guarantee you will get responses that disagree with me, but that's OK.

 

I guess the term should be the most consistent graders. With that, the top four are PCGS, NGC, ICG and ANACS...and not necessarily in that order.

As Roy stated, grading is subjective and the same coin going to the same service may come back different.

The only publication (that I know of) that tracks the professional graders is Grey Sheet:

http://www.greysheet.com/

Personally, I put PCGS and NGC in the top tier...followed closely by ICG. ANACS is good for varieties.

ICG probably has the best slabs to protect coins using the Intercept Shield technology. All things being equal and enviromental conditions alike, these slabs protect coins better than anything out there. I heard NGC recently started using air-sealed slabs for their coins and have "upped" their slab technology altogether.

It still seems that PCGS graded coins command a premium over NGC and the others. I oftern read here that NGC will soon surpass PCGS for prices realized, so we will wait and see.

For me...slabbing is all about "sight, unseen" buying and selling of coins. If you can't see a coin and somebody offers you a 1916-D dime raw or one that is graded and certified by the above four, you will feel more comfortable buying this coin "slabbed".

Also, I like how the coins are stored, protected, and displayed with the slab. The only thing I wish the big four would do on their slabs is what PCI slabs offer, which are the mintage numbers.

There is something about a coin with only 484,000 minted...like the 1909-S VDB compared to the millions that were minted for other years. And yes...if I were to buy a 1909-S VDB, I would want it graded because I have seen fake 1909-S VDB's and they are pretty damn good.

Peace of mind...sight unseen selling and buying...storage...display. These are reasons why slabbing is attractive to many people.

Now that you heard the good stuff...are your prepared to spend $15 to $30 slabbing and certifying a coin (economy service that may take 60 to 70 days!) that may come back MS63 instead of MS65 that you "thought" it should grade to? Many times, the slab costs MORE than the coin. You think...they made a mistake, so you break it out and resubmit it and this time it comes back MS62! It is up to you!

 

Welcome to the forum! More and more I am seeing that NGC graded coins are commanding a slightly higher price than PCGS and ICG on eBay. For slightly damaged or lower grade coins, ANACS seems to be the way to go as they will net grade. Overall, I'm in agreement with Roy in that I prefer a raw coin for beauty, but with the grading, you also get the added protection of the slab. Whatever you do, stick with the top four. There are a lot of sub-standard grading companies out there. Coins in their raw form are worth more than ones in these slabs. There's a reason why their submission fees are cheaper. You get what you pay for.

 

Accugrade advertises that they are the most consistent graders. They leave out that most people consider them to be consistenty wrong.

There is a huge difference between being precise and being accurate that most people don't understand.

I like ANACS for individual submissions, most of the others require you to go through a dealer or join their club.

 

Personally I like NGC. Their standards are the strictest today. I have been doing a lot of research into IGC because like Ed Zak has mentioned they are using technology to improve their holders. Their standards have improved greatly over the years, and they are widely accepted as the number 3 service.
Having said that, I personally believe that very few coins need to be slabbed. Among them are Key dates, heavily counterfeited dates, and the ultra rare. That is it. Too often collectors take the short cut because they lack the desire to learn how to properly grade coins for themselves.

 

Thanks!

I think the responses you all have given me put things into the proper light. At the moment I am going to hold off getting anything graded. While there are a couple I would like to properly preserve even more than the others, right now it's more about how I enjoy the coins themselves. Usually until I realize 2 hours have passed and my neck is in knots. The thing about buying one I have decided on "sight unseen", provided it's value warrants the grading and encapsulation, makes perfect sense. I am not currently a member of any club and I have a few varieites so I will definetely check out ANACS and stick overall with the top four. I can imagine eventually making my own assessments of these graders after I get one back and giving a resounding "YES"! or simply stating " these idiots don't know what there talking about. Ha!
I put the greysheet on my favorites to check out later. Lastly, what "is" the proper way to go about training myself to grade?

 

Ps

Hey National Dealer,
Back in the 80's I had a temporary residence in Dover. My sister and brother-in-law had a place there. Use to love watching the drag races down below Harrington on US13!

 

Also, no matter what grade is on the coin's holder, it is still the same coin, regardless. They all do an equally good job of protecting the coin from any further damage, as well. At least I'm not aware of any 3rd party holders that may cause damage to a coin. Dave.

 

I'll give you the same three words as the answer to the old chestnut about "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?"


























Practice, practice, practice.

 

Cybersteven,
You should purchase the ANA Grading Standards for US Coins book and also the Photograde book. This is an investment that will pay for itself over and over again.

 

I like this site for grading purposes:

http://www.saharacoins.com/grading/greatsenarea.htm

Last but not least...READ.

 

Grading coins is like anything else in life. The more you do it, the better you'll become at doing it.
You have to look at LOTS of coins. And just when you think you're tired of looking at coins, look at some more. If you're fave coin is morgans, buy a generic date PCGS or NGC morgan in MS63, 64, & 65. When you learn to tell the difference between these coins you'll have an edge on many collectors (and a lot of dealers, too). Look at AU58 slabbed coins and learn to spot the friction/wear. Buy a grading book and keep it with you when you attend shows, etc. Take it to shops. Take a coin with you and ask your local dealers to give you their opinion of grade. Many dealers are eager to show off their knowledge.
Buy books and READ, READ, READ.
And just for the record I prefer NGC for most things, although varieties, circ key dates and damaged coins usually do better in ANACS holders.
Nick

 

ND,
Not that I would disagree with your statement but I believe that some of the best looking coins in certain particular grades seem to frequently end up in holders. I've not sought out coins in slabs (I actually prefer them raw) but when you've been on the hunt for a certain coin and you see 16 damaged, cleaned or sub-par pieces that are raw and then you see a nice on encased in plastic most people will buy the slabbed coin. I've bought several coins and cracked them out to put them in my Dansco album.

[/QUOTE] Too often collectors take the short cut because they lack the desire to learn how to properly grade coins for themselves.[/QUOTE]

 

My first 10 Morgans are NGC slabbed. Then I bought a raw coin and things changed. Nothing like holding a raw morgan in your (gloved) hand. Feeling the weight, texture and reeded edge is something to behold. I still purchase a slabbed coin occasionally, but I prefer the raw coins. My humble opinion.