I think there are really only two major players PCGS and NGC but there are a couple others like IGC and ANACS but would generally call them a tier two TPG but i know some people use them to protect there coins but using them to increase value maybe not as much. For me anyway i have always preferred PCGS as the value of there slabbed coins always brings a premium over NGC and the others, plus i have never liked NGC slabbed coins just think ther to bulky and plain jane but that,s just me, here,s a couple examples i polled out of my collection. really like the OGH, there pretty cool So what,s your favorite TPG
I view TPG's differently than most others. They aren't an avenue for profitability to me. A TPG exists to protect my coin for future generations and render a professional judgment on the grade. That's all and nothing more to me.... And in that vein, I am an ICG guy simply due to the cost.
PCGS is my personal favorite but I have bought a small gold coin in a CAC holder too (yes I don't care it's not a real TPG I think their holder is nice ).
I had a brain fart here and completely forgot about CAC only holders would for sure put them in the same conversation as PCGS and NGC.
If I were to use a TPG today it would be which ever one Insider (Skip Fazzari) is associated with. I think it's ICG? In the 80's he was with INS (International Numismatic Society). I sent them coins for authentication. They were always very professional and on time. And they always gave me free grading.
NGC for three major reasons: - one of my first collections was a FBL Franklin collection, and the NGC requirements for FBL are far stricter and far superior in my opinion. The PCGS requirements just don't meet my standards. So, I was NGC only. - my next collection was Prooflike coins. At the time, PCGS only designated PL Morgans, and nothing else. NGC was the only major TPG to designate PL on any coin that deserved it (Anacs did too, but they weren't allowed on the Registry) - my next collection was foreign coins. NGC has always been more widely respected with foreign material. Only in recent years does it feel like PCGS is gaining ground, but even still, I like NGC better. And, as a Registry player, NGC just straight up did not allow PCGS foreign coins into the NGC Registry. So, based on what I chose to collect, NGC was and still is the clear winner for me.
I voted PCGS - solely because I like their slabs the best. But all holders are welcome if the coin is correct. My typeset is currently 10 NGC, 36 PCGS and one CACG coin. My other coins is like 36 pcgs and 4 NGC and one CACG coin. I have sold like 30 pcgs coins, 1 NGC, 1 CACG, and 1 ICG coin. My anacs coins were mainly modern stuff that I let go at local shop. When I see a coin I like half the time I do not even notice what holder it is in.
I was doing the same many years ago with PCI. It was only $8 or $9 and the holders were really nice. When it came time to start selling I went with PCGS to crack and grade. Most came back about the same grade and many came back at a higher grade.
I've been at a toss up between 2 for years... ICG and NGC... I think ICG has the most accurate grading of the 4 big boys.(now 5 with CAC) The one and only drawback to ICG is the lack of Premium for resale.. NGC is almost as accurate as ICG and does carry a decent premium. While PCGS has the highest premium, take twice as long as the other 3. They also have the highest cost and the same coin sent in 3 times repetitivley will recieve 3 different grades.. to NGC 2 different grades and ICG will grade it the same 3 times running. As for ANACs well they certify all VAMs, most tokens (including all DC/MM pieces) and other items making them useful, easy to use but like PCGS the grades vary and like ICG lack any real premium. So in the end I had to vote NGC...
(modified from a post I did several years ago) I voted PCGS, but have a complex answer: I own double the number of PCGS slabs than NCG as a collector. I find more coins I want in PCGS plastic on the places I shop like Great Collections, eBay, etc. PHOTOS: NGC photos are terrible for the most part. Worse, they don't show up on their Cert Verification page, so no one else ever gets to benefit from them if you should sell the coin, or buy a coin someone else that had photos taken. PCGS TrueView, while being glamour shots, they USED to be 1000x better, but that is far less true now a days, since Phil Arnold departed for GreatCollections a few years back. Formerly strong win for PCGS, but nowadays I would say only a moderate win. SLABS: In the modern era I have always preferred the PCGS slabs from generation like 1990-2020 era. They feel good in the hand, not too big or too small, and they show the coin nicely, the weight is perfect, not light or heavy. However, the newest generation of PCGS slabs (2020-Current) are far worse. They look similar, but are not the same. Ever since the pandemic supply chain issues, and/or just decisions by PCGS in terms of the newest gen holders, they are worse. I can't really explain it other than to say, put one in your hands and hold it. They are feather light, plastic feels like a toy, and the edges are sharp, again cheap plasticy feel. You can easily tell them apart, they have a new logo on the left front of the slab that looks like a wireless PC Mouse. Also, the intentionally made the new PCGS slabs not fit in NGC boxes. NGC labels inside the slab often look like the Ink ran out, I can't stand that. I would say it's a draw here. CUSTOMER SERVICE: NGC customer service is very good, I used them for a certain incident. Fast and to my satisfaction without begging or threatening. I had the same experience with a different incident involving PCGS customer service. I had to send a single coin in 3 times for them ton get it right, but in their credit, eventually it was resolved. Slight win here for NGC. PRICE: Both are very similar, not much to say. ECOSYSTEM: PCGS forums are far better, PCGS website far better, PCGS cert verification far better, faster, easier (especially if you are shopping a ton of coins at once), PCGS coin facts better than NGC equivalent (although I use both), etc. PCGS coin numbering ID's are the industry standard, used by GreatCollections, even CPG, most dealers, etc. Strong win here for PCGS. REGISTRY: I have used both, they both work fine, but from past experience, I would give a slight win to PCGS here, if you care about the registry. I tend to prefer much about PCGS over NGC, but I do like things about both of them and gladly buy desirable coins in both.
