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...
